Said & Done

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/28/said-and-done-sepp-blatter

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Ahead of the game

Sepp Blatter, 2008, addressing the plight of exploited workers denied a chance of livable pay and conditions. "If Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave, let him leave. I think, in football, there is too much modern slavery."

Reassuring news

Leading the response to last week's new slave state evidence against Qatar: Fifa's pledge to talk to authorities, two years after they promised the issue was in hand. Fifa told campaigners in 2011: "We uphold respect for human rights, as a principle and part of all our activities."

Backing the bid

Defending Qatar this month – European Club Association head Karl Heinz-Rummenigge: "After visiting Qatar for our last general assembly we had a good feeling about a World Cup there." • Also last week: German tax authorities fine Rummenigge a reported €250,000 for failing to declare two Rolexes received as gifts during the trip.

Elsewhere

Last week's other football family news:

• Peru FA head Manuel Burga denying new fraud, theft and electoral malpractice charges, three years after he attacked the "hypocrisy" of six Peru players who hired prostitutes in a casino. "The saying is true: a tree born crooked will never grow straight."

• Jack Warner: appearing in court in Trinidad to deny failing to pay a debt while running their Football Association. Trinidad Express: "As Warner left the magistrates' court, several people across the street called out to him. He shouted: 'Keep the faith.'"

Jumpers for goalposts

Last week in modern football:

• FA accounts (pdf) showing a total of £43m redistributed to grassroots football in 2012, four weeks after Arsenal spent the same sum on Mesut Özil, plus £39m wages.

• La Liga head Javier Tebas pledging to reschedule the league's kick-off times to "better serve our fans in the Middle East".

• Columbus Crew's Dominic Oduro, celebrating a goal by running to the touchline and eating a piece of Papa John's pizza, the Official Pizza of Columbus Crew.

• The British Football Business Awards unveiling their nominees for November's ceremony. Among the contenders in the best "sponsorship/partnership of the year" category: Millwall's link with Prostate Cancer UK, and Newcastle's with Wonga.com.

Balancing act of the week

Croatia: Dinamo Zagreb attacking "an uncultured and uneducated minority" after fans' racist chants led to a new stadium ban, and defending owner Zdravko Mamic against an unrelated charge of inciting racial hatred. Mamic says his comments about Serbs were "misunderstood".

Other racism news

Italy: 1) Inter's Esteban Cambiasso putting the issue to bed. "Insults are part and parcel of the game, to wind up the other team. I don't think Italians are racist." 2) A shop in Naples putting new T-shirts on sale, reading: "If you bleach Balotelli he'll still stink".

Best peacemaker

Peru: Huancayo coach Marcelo Trobbiani, reacting after three Brazilian players alleged "discrimination and disrespect" against him: "They must stop complaining. They sound like fags." Huancayo president Edgar Araníbar: "It's just a small, internal issue. Trobbiani's a man of character, I can't change his nature. There's no discrimination here."

Best choreography

Italy, 4 Sept: Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini attacks reports that he'll sack new coach Gennaro Gattuso. "In Serie B you need patience." 9 Sept: "Certain journalists just assume I'll sack him. I've not even thought about it." 20 Sept: "These journalists only want to hurt this club, hurt the fans, the team, the staff." 24 Sept: "It's all lies." 25 Sept: Sacks him.

Best motivator

Romania: Astra owner Ioan Niculae, weighing up his side's 4-1 cup win over minnows Berceni. "We won, but badly. We were awful, embarrassing, outrageous. These players are only professional when they want my money." Last season Niculae attacked his squad for "shaking in their panties", and assessed their overall record: "They're incapable, impotent morons."

Tackle of the week

Argentina: Boca Juniors midfielder Gaspar Iñíguez, on why he launched a head-first diving tackle, knocking out three teeth. "At that time my head was the only option, so I used it, and I'd use it again. Mum says I'm crazy, Dad says I was right. I say I'm a warrior."

Model of the week

Brazil: Former Avai FC official club model Luciane Hoepers – arrested over claims she helped defraud a £14m public pension fund by "charming regional mayors". Hoepers, yet to enter a plea, told media before the arrest: "I am not a wicked witch – but nor am I Cinderella."

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