BUDAPEST (AP) ― Tackling corruption in soccer will again top FIFA’s agenda when the 208 members meet this week for a congress that will also see the first woman appointed to the governing body’s executive committee.
Continuing FIFA’s efforts to restore its battered image after a series of corruption scandals, FIFA will announce Tuesday which independent officials will be brought in from outside the “football family” to spearhead new ethics and audit committees that are seen as key vehicles for genuine change. However, president Sepp Blatter canceled a news conference scheduled for Tuesday after his executive committee wrapped up an expected two-day meeting in a single session Monday.
FIFA is set to announce which woman will be appointed to the executive committee. That person will hold the position for one year, when the seat is opened up for election ― although only female candidates will be considered.
Candidates for the key anti-corruption posts must get final approval from the congress floor on Friday. They can then start work with authority to order fresh probes into old allegations, monitor the governing body’s billion-dollar annual spending and vet all FIFA officials for their integrity to hold office.
Spain recalls Torres
MADRID (AP) ― Coach Vicente del Bosque recalled Fernando Torres along with fellow Chelsea teammate Juan Mata for Spain’s warm-up matches ahead of the upcoming European Championship.
The struggling Torres had been dropped for Spain’s most recent friendly, but the striker managed to make the squad after Chelsea won the Champions League on Saturday. The defending European champion began training on Monday for the tournament in Poland and the Ukraine without players from Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, which will play in the Copa del Rey final on Friday.
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