Robin Van Persie, Diego Costa, James Rodriguez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and four other players’ brilliant overhead, volleyed, long-range etc goals scored during the 2013/2014 season have been found worthy of FIFA goal of the year nomination.
Nigeria escapes FIFA wrath
FIFA to introduce TV monitor that'll allow managers to challenge refereeing decisions
I hope it doesn’t stop few months after it is introduced trust me cos whether the referees are right or wrong coaches would always challenge their decisions. Goal.com reports that FIFA President, Sepp Blatter is planning to introduce a TV monitor that will allow managers to challenge refereeing decisions.
“The next step I will propose to the international board is to try to bring this so-called ‘call’ that the coaches or team managers have the right in a half, twice or once, to challenge a refereeing decision but only when the game is stopped. Then there must be a television monitor [provided] by the television company, then the referee and coach look at it and the referee may then change his mind as is the case in tennis for instance.” Blatter said at the 2014 Soccerex convention in Manchester, England.
"Those involved in NFF crisis should be ashamed"- Kanu Nwankwo
Former Super Eagles forward, Kanu Nwankwo has lashed out at those causing commotion at NFF’s glass house. You would recall that FIFA threatened to suspend Nigeria from international competitions if the incumbent NFF President, Chris Giwa doesn’t step down.
africanFootball.com however quotes the former Arsenal player as saying those behind the crisis should be ashamed of themselves.
“All those involved in this crisis have to be ashamed of themselves because they are really killing football in Nigeria. There is no peace. Nobody understands what’s going on and the earlier this problem is solved, the better.” kanu added.
FIFA upholds Barcelona's transfer ban, no signing of players till 2016.
NFF President, Aminu Maigari Impeached
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari has been impeached by members of the executive committee of the football federation for “financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration.”.
This is coming few days after the administrator resumed his office following FIFA intervention in Nigeria soccer-related activities. The impeachment notice was signed by 8 out of 13 members of the committee.
Brazil 2014: Maradona disagrees with Messi's award, says it was a marketing strategy
Who’s surprised by this statement? Argentine legend Diego Maradona, while speaking during a TV programme affirmed that Lionel Messi didn’t deserve the Golden Ball award at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He said the prize should have gone to Colombia’s James Rodriguez.
“I would give heaven and earth to Leo, but when marketing people want him to win something he didn’t deserve to win, it is unfair. I could see that he didn’t want to go up and collect it. We raised our flag high, there’s no doubt about that. Germany won due to a misunderstanding in the defence but at no point were they better than us. They showed us a lot of respect, and our lads earned that out on the pitch.”
Brazil 2014: FIFA ranking of all 32 teams.
FIFA has released its ranking of all 32 teams who participated at the just-concluded World Cup 2014. Nigeria finished in the 16th position and 2nd
among the five African countries at the competition. Algeria is first, Cote d’Ivoire third, Ghana and Cameroon, Fourth and fifth respectively.
Full World Cup ranking:
1. Germany
2. Argentina
3. Netherlands
4. Brazil
5. Colombia
6. Belgium
7. France
8. Costa Rica
9. Chile
10. Mexico
11. Switzerland
12. Uruguay
13. Greece
14. Algeria
15. USA
16. Nigeria
17. Ecuador
18. Portugal
19. Croatia
20. Bosnia Herzegovina
21. Cote d’Ivoire
22. Italy
23. Spain
24. Russia
25. Ghana
26. England
27. South Korea
28. Iran
29. Japan
30. Australia
31. Honduras
32. Cameroon