Russian President Vladimir Putin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Saturday "launched the World Cup trophy on a tour across Russia" ahead of the 2018 World Cup, with Infantino "lauding Russia’s readiness for the event." He said, "To the people of Russia, I tell them: enjoy and celebrate the trophy tour and then the World Cup. And to the people of the world, I tell them: come to Russia, enjoy Russia and celebrate the World Cup." Surrounded by hundreds of young football players, Infantino and Putin "took turns to hold the FIFA World Cup in their hands" before it started its 123-day, 26,000km journey (REUTERS, 9/9).
Scottish Premiership side
Celtic said that the Scottish FA's decision "not to support a review" into Rangers' EBT issue is "
a failure in transparency, accountability and leadership." The Scottish Professional Football League called for a review after the Scottish Supreme Court ruled against the Ibrox club "for its use of a tax scheme" between '01 and '10. But in a letter to member clubs, the SFA said that a review would be akin to "raking over the coals" (
BBC, 9/9).
The South African FA will hold an emergency committee meeting on Monday "to discuss the way forward" following FIFA's decision to order a replay of the World Cup qualifier against Senegal because of "match manipulation" by the referee. South Africa beat Senegal 2-1 at home last November but match referee Joseph Lamptey has since been banned for life (BBC, 9/9).
The Confederation of African Football "will begin an inspection visit to Kenya on Monday" ahead of next year's African Nations Championship. Originally the trip had been due to begin on Thursday, but it was "postponed due to uncertainty following the annulled presidential elections in Kenya" (BBC, 9/8).