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KIGALI, Rwanda – FIFA Council news (local time):
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2:45 p.m.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the football federation was ready to release a $ 100 million fund from the proceeds of the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournaments for host Brazil.
The fund has been frozen as a result of investigations into corruption cases.
In 2014, FIFA pledged money for "women's football and grassroots football, health programs and social programs for disadvantaged communities" in Brazil.
The fund was agreed with Brazilian football leaders, Jose Maria Marin and Marco Polo del Nero, who have been indicted by the US Department of Justice in a massive case of corruption and racketeering. Marin is serving a four-year prison sentence and Del Nero has remained in Brazil to escape arrest.
According to Infantino, FIFA has "found a way" to invest its funds "not all at the same time but with all the necessary controls" that meet FIFA's compliance standards.
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2:00 p.m..
The Spanish league has said it could appeal to the courts to challenge FIFA's opposition to its matches taking place in the United States.
FIFA said the council at a meeting on Friday "stressed the sporting principle that official league matches must be played in the territory of the member association concerned".
FIFA should confirm this position in writing to CONCACAF and the American and Spanish federations.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the Spanish league said: "If we receive an official notice from FIFA prohibiting the match, we will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with urgency. "
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2:00 p.m..
The FIFA Council has approved the prize money for the Women's World Cup, doubling it to $ 30 million next year.
In addition, $ 11.5 million will be shared with the 24 teams for the tournament preparation and $ 8.5 million will be shared between the clubs releasing players.
Player unions, however, still want more gender equality.
France won $ 38 million from FIFA for winning the Men's World Cup in July. The French women's champion next year will win $ 4 million, double the amount raised by the US team in 2015.
FIFPro, the global union of players, said: "Despite these changes, football is still further from the goal of equality for all players of the World Cup, regardless of gender."
The prize money for the Men's World Cup in Russia this year has increased by 12%, reaching $ 400 million. FIFA gave teams $ 48 million for preparation costs and also shared $ 209 million with clubs that sent players to the tournament.
According to FIFPro, the price gap between men and women has widened. This regressive trend seems to run counter to FIFA's statutory commitment to gender equality. "
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1:30 p.m.
The FIFA Council is opposed to the Spanish league games played in the United States.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the council had supported the principle that "official league games must be played in the territory of the member association concerned".
The league wants Barcelona to play against the Girona in Miami Gardens, Florida on Jan. 26. It must be approved by the Spanish and American federations, as well as by the continental bodies of UEFA and CONCACAF.
FIFA has received requests for positions from CONCACAF and the US and Spanish federations. FIFA's authorization for the game is not mandatory.
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1:05 p.m.
A $ 25 billion review of world football competitions is on hold after the growing disapproval of European leaders and clubs that saw FIFA President Gianni Infantino agree that a new consultation was needed.
A task force consisting of regional confederation presidents led by Infantino will examine in more detail the benefits of the new formats, a failure of the FIFA leader who started the week in the hope of an agreement in principle on the reorganization of the World Club Cup and the creation of a World League of Nations.
Infantino said the council had decided to "strengthen the consultation process" before the next FIFA Council meeting in Miami in March.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin thwarted Infantino's willingness to secure the deal at Friday's meeting after collecting complaints from European clubs and leagues.
After leaving the meeting, Ceferin said that "common sense prevails".
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10:00 am
A FIFA decision on a $ 25 billion review of competitions should be postponed following the intensification of opposition from European football leaders and clubs.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was hoping to get his council's agreement on the idea of reorganizing the Club World Cup and creating a League of Nations.
Instead, a working group needs to be created to explore in more detail the benefits of new formats, according to someone familiar with the situation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversations before the board meeting were private.
By giving up against UEFA's opposition, Infantino was likely to avoid EU representatives threatening to leave the meeting when discussing new competitions.
– By Rob Harris.
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