Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Raheem Sterling opened the scoring in a 4-0 rout of Hungary

Hungary sanctioned by FIFA over racists chants

Hungary have been ordered to play two home FIFA competition matches behind closed doors, one suspended for two years, over racist behaviour by fans at the World Cup qualifier against England earlier this month.

Soccer • 21 Sep 21

FIFA continue to press ahead with their plans for a biennial World Cup

FIFA to discuss biennial World Cup at summit next week

FIFA will hold an online summit with football associations from all over the world next week to discuss its plans for the men's and women's international calendars, which include biennial World Cups.

Soccer • 20 Sep 21

FIFA says enthusiasm was greatest among younger fans in "developing markets" outside Europe for its plan

FIFA claims majority of fans support biennial World Cup

A majority of fans support the idea of a biennial World Cup, according to a survey commissioned by FIFA.

Soccer • 16 Sep 21

Liverpool's Fabinho will be free to play against Leeds

Brazilian stars cleared for Premier League duty

Premier League clubs will be allowed to field their top stars this weekend after the Brazilian Football Confederation dropped its demands for FIFA to enforce rules relating to their non-appearance for international duty.

Soccer • 11 Sep 21

'The World Cup is amazing. It is the biggest tournament and, as a spectator, I always enjoy watching it'

Guardiola welcomes World Cup every two years proposal

Pep Guardiola believes a World Cup every two years could be good for the game and would welcome a fair debate over the issue.

Soccer • 10 Sep 21

A biennial World Cup could see the tournament held in the same year as the Olympics

IOC cool on FIFA's hopes for two-year World Cup cycle

FIFA's proposals for a shift to a biennial World Cup, which could see the tournament held in the same year as the Olympics, have been given a cold response from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach.

Soccer • 08 Sep 21

Gianni Infantino wants the Premier League and La Liga to release players

FIFA's Infantino asks Premier League to release players

The English Premier League and Spanish La Liga should release players for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers next month to "preserve and protect sporting integrity", FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said.

Soccer • 25 Aug 21

The governing body will receive an initial $32.3m

Corruption probe sees FIFA get over $201m compensation

FIFA will receive over $201m in forfeited funds seized during a global soccer corruption probe, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), said on Tuesday.

Soccer • 24 Aug 21

Sepp Blatter led FIFA for 17 years until 2015

FIFA loses court bid to revive Blatter criminal probe

A Swiss court has rejected FIFA's bid to revive a criminal probe against its former president Sepp Blatter, over a 2005 deal with the Caribbean Football Union to sell World Cup broadcasting rights.

Soccer • 29 Jul 21

The meeting was held in Zurich with many attending remotely

FIFA backs study into holding World Cup every two years

FIFA will carry out a feasibility study on holding the World Cup and the women's World Cup every two years.

Soccer • 21 May 21

Ireland World Cup qualifying schedule confirmed

The Republic of Ireland will get their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying campaign underway on 17 September when travel to Georgia for their opening Group A fixture.

Soccer • 06 May 21

FIFA suspends Pakistan & Chad over outside interference

FIFA has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) due to third-party interference and also the Chadian Football Association (FTFA) with immediate effect due to government interference, soccer's global governing body said today.

Soccer • 07 Apr 21

Sepp Blatter given fresh six-and-half-year ban by FIFA

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been handed a new ban from football after being found to be part of a "vicious circle" of officials who sought to award themselves over €60m in undeclared payments.

Soccer • 24 Mar 21

Amnesty has called on FIFA to take 'urgent and concrete action'

FIFA urged to ensure Qatar implements labour reforms

Amnesty International has written to FIFA calling on the world governing body to use its leverage to ensure Qatar fulfils its promises regarding the rights of migrant workers.

Soccer • 22 Mar 21

No penalty was given after the ball appeared to hit Callum Hudson-Odoi's hand against Manchester United

More clarification expected around handball law

Further clarification on the handball law is expected from the game's lawmakers on Friday.

Soccer • 04 Mar 21

Beckenbauer ethics case dropped after time runs out

Franz Beckenbauer will not be prosecuted despite FIFA investigators finding that he breached its code of ethics in relation to bribery and corruption.

Soccer • 25 Feb 21

Portugal are in the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying group

FIFA extends player release rule for national teams

Premier League clubs will not be obliged to let Portuguese or South American stars represent their national teams in the March international break after world governing body FIFA extended a rule over player release

Soccer • 05 Feb 21

Kieran Trippier could still be permitted to play on

Trippier appeal dismissed by FIFA

FIFA has dismissed Kieran Trippier's appeal against a ban for breaching Football Association betting rules, but there is every chance he could be able to continue playing.

Soccer • 18 Jan 21

FIFA files criminal complaint against Sepp Blatter

FIFA has issued a complaint of "criminal mismanagement" against its former president Sepp Blatter.

Soccer • 22 Dec 20

Irish players under the age of 18 won't be allowed to move to the UK post Brexit

FIFA confirm 'Brexit exemption' won't apply to Ireland

FIFA has confirmed there will a 'Brexit exemption' to allow the transfer of players aged 16 and 17 between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but it will not include footballers of that age from the Republic of Ireland.

Soccer • 04 Dec 20

FIFA Club World Cup to keep existing format for 2021

The 2021 Club World Cup will be a seven-team tournament to be played in Japan, FIFA has announced.

Soccer • 04 Dec 20

AVB calls for FIFA to retire No 10 in Maradona's honour

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has called on FIFA to retire the number 10 jersey for all teams in honour of the late Diego Maradona who died on Wednesday at the age of 60.

Soccer • 26 Nov 20

Jordan Flores hammers home his extraordinary volley

Jordan Flores nominated for FIFA's Puskas Award

Dundalk's Jordan Flores has been nominated for the Puskas Award, the honour given to the what FIFA deems to be "the most beautiful" goal of the calendar year.

Soccer • 25 Nov 20

Ahmad Ahmad's ban comes as a result of a variety of misconduct issues

African football president banned by FIFA

The president of the Confederation of African Football has been banned from all football-related activity over a variety of misconduct issues, FIFA has announced.

Soccer • 23 Nov 20

FIFA asks tech firms for higher quality VAR replays

FIFA has asked technology companies to develop ways to improve visuals to help its officials with close video assistant referee (VAR) decisions on offsides.

Soccer • 17 Nov 20