Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter was accused by U.S. women's goalkeeper Hope Solo of "having sexually assaulted her" at FIFA's Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Jan. '13. In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Expresso, Solo, 36, claimed she "had Sepp Blatter grab my ass" at the glittering presentation of FIFA's annual football awards for achievement during '12. Blatter, contacted via his spokesperson, denied that the incident took place (London GUARDIAN, 11/10).
The Indian Super League’s new rule requiring six Indian players on the field at all times during a match "has been lauded by foreign coaches who have said this will help develop local players." Until last season, six foreigners "could be on the field but that has been changed to five this season" (PTI, 11/12).
The Liberia FA suspended the contracts of national team coach James Debbah and his deputies "in order to save money." The LFA "is also working to pay all the arrears owed to Debbah and his team." LFA VP Musa Shannon said that the contracts "will resume ahead of Liberia's next competitive game in March" (BBC, 11/9).
Gambia's National Sports Council suspended the exec committee of the Gambia Football Federation "amid allegations of fraud." The GFF said that it does not recognize the ruling from the NSC and that its committee "remains in place." Earlier last week, the GFF said that its accounts "are all in order and do not warrant a proposed NSC investigation" (BBC, 11/10).
More than 20 police officers were injured in Brussels when celebrations over Morocco's qualification for the 2018 World Cup "turned violent." Fans "hit the streets after the game and burned at least one car, smashed glass and looted shops," police said (BBC, 11/12).
The Korea FA asked the Colombian FA to "take disciplinary action against one of its national team members for making a racist gesture at his South Korean opponents" during a friendly. Edwin Cardona made the mocking gesture toward South Korean captain Ki Sung-yueng during Friday's match in Suwon (YONHAP, 11/11).
