FIFA "should appoint an independent external investigator to probe at least 34 football cases arising from Russia's pan-sport doping scandal," according to former WADA President Dick Pound. A special adviser to FIFA on medical matters, Martial Saugy, who worked for Russian sport, is "understood to have worked on the FIFA probe into Russian football." Pound said that an independent investigation "would certainly be a way to provide the process with credibility and avoid any conflict of interest" (London DAILY MAIL, 7/8).
Tonsser, the Copenhagen-based startup that offers a "vertical social network" aimed at youth football players, is collaborating with Nike for its first brand channel, and now has 380,000 youth players registered, "up from 100,000 just over a year ago." The Danish startup also raised a new round of funding as it "gears up" for an '18 expansion to the U.K. The app is currently live in France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway (TECH CRUNCH, 7/6).
The Players FA of Ireland is prepared to defend its members at the Court of Arbitration for Sport "against charges brought over the weekend" by the FA of Ireland in relation to the League of Ireland First Division side Athlone Town match-fixing case. A total of four members of Athlone Town, one from the non-playing side of the club, have been charged (IRISH TIMES, 7/9).
Uganda State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi demanded the Uganda FA "produce an accountability report" for the funds it receives from sponsors, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football. A letter said, "Failure to do so will result into severe repercussions from this office" (ESPN.com, 7/8).
FIFA "banned Sudan because of government interference in the sport." A warning was issued last month after the government installed a new FA president. The suspension means "Sudan's three clubs in continental tournaments have been disqualified" by CAF (BBC, 7/7).
