FIFA ban Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey for life due to match manipulation!

World football governing body, FIFA have banned Ghanian referee Joseph Lamptey for life due to his manipulation of the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal on November 12, 2016 that ended 2-1 in favor of South Africa.

The game ended 2-1 but FIFA launched an investigation into the referee after he awarded a dubious penalty to South Africa for the opening goal of the game, and FIFA decided to ban him, but his  assistant referees have been cleared of any wrongdoing. 

Read FIFA's statement published today below...

FIFA set to announce 48-team World Cup effective from 2026

Some months ago, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that he plans implementing a 48-team World Cup, as one of his many new policies to restore integrity in the world's football governing body, and according to reports, FIFA could announce the new plan as early as Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017.

According to top football website, Globo Esporte, FIFA's top executives have already agreed to increase the number of countries participating in the World Cup Finals from 32 teams to 48 effective from 2026 so as to increase the chances of small nations in the showpiece event and also make the tournament more of a level playing field.

According to the Website, FIFA will announce on Tuesday, about the new plans which will see continents like Asia and Africa produce more participants at the orld Cup.

Uefa: 16 participants

África: 9 participants

Ásia: 9 participants

Conmebol: 6 participants

Concacaf: 6 participants

Oceania: 2 participants

If this goes through as reported, it'll mark Infantino's second major policy since assuming presidency, following the re-branding of the FIFA World Player of the Year awards to 'The Best' awards.

The first FIFA World Cup had 13 participants, then increased to 15, 16, 24, and is currently 32.

FIFA unveils ’The Best awards’ to rival Ballon D’or award after separation from France Football

FIFA have unveiled their own individual award for football's best players called 'The Best Awards' to rival the Ballon D'or award they originally co-owned with France Football after ending it's partnership with France football in September.

The awards will take place in Zurich on January 9, 2017 and according to FIFA, the inaugural 'Best FIFA Football Awards' is the 'definitive accolade' for players and coaches in world football.

World football governing body, FIFA will be unveiling the shortlists for the four individual awards this week, starting on Tuesday with the Women's Coach award then 10 candidates for the men's coach prize  on Wednesday then on Thursday and Friday the 10 candidates for the top women's and men's players prizes will revealed respectively.

FIFA previously named their award 'FIFA world player of the year' prior to their partnership with France Football in 2010 but decided not to revert to the same name after ending their partnership with France Football hence the new name 'he Best' awards.

The Best' awards will also feature a new voting system that sees fans have a say in the player and coach of the year in both men's and women's football.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino meets Russian President Vladmir Putin

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met up with President Vladimir Putin recently, wrapping up a two-day visit to Russia in which he gave an overall positive assessment of the state of preparations for the 2018 World Cup. More photos are;