Football agents told FIFA "they do not want an income cap but would welcome more regulation as part of new transfer proposals." More than 120 agents met FIFA, UEFA and FA officials following FIFA's concerns about money "flowing out of the football industry." Association of Football Agents Chair Mike Miller said, "If everyone in football was capped, it would make sense" (BBC, 6/11).
FIFA Deputy Secretary General Zvonimir Boban "justified the world governing body’s modest punishments for racism and dismissed fears" among England players that there will be further incidents at the World Cup. The former AC Milan midfielder said that the fines given to Russia and other offending nations in recent seasons "had been small because countries should not be punished heavily" because of a “few idiots." Boban’s comments "drew a withering response" from anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out, which said that it was "laughable" to claim FIFA's efforts to combat racism "had been adequate" (LONDON TIMES, 6/12).
At least 20 people have been arrested by Spanish police over allegations of match-fixing in football, Spanish newspapers El Confidencial and El País reported on Tuesday. In February, 31 people were detained in Spain on charges of being part of an illegal Chinese betting syndicate (REUTERS, 6/12).
The Asian Football Confederation will open an office in Doha, Qatar, to assist with preparations for the 2022 World Cup. The AFC will provide administrative, organizational and technical support to the World Cup host (AFC).
