FIFA in trouble, this time for use of foam

NEWYORK: Just when it appeared that FIFA was emerging from its morass of legal problems, the organization is back in trouble with the law.

Its latest misdeed? It has been accused of using a proprietary foam without respecting and supporting the patents of its inventor.

“FIFA robbed my idea; this is anti- fair play,” said Heine Allemagne, inventor of the aforementioned foam, which gained international renown after being used at the 2014 World Cup.

The product allows officials to paint a white foamy line. Allemagne says FIFA’S actions have allowed other companies to produce and sell rival sprays for use in organized soccer.

This week, after years of Allemagne’s unsuccessful petitions for FIFA to respect his rights, a Rio de Janeiro court acknowledged his patent in 44 countries. The court ordered FIFA to stop using the spray in any of its competitions or risk a fine of $15,000 per game.

FIFA said it couldn’t comment on the case because the dispute was continuing. The ruling can be appealed, though FIFA, has spent more than $100 million in legal fees since U.S. authorities in 2015 unsealed an indictment that accused several officials of corruption dating back decades.

RONALDO PROUD TO COMPETE WITH MESSI

ABUDHABI: Cristiano Ronaldo feels he has succeeded in making his mark in football and is honoured to compete with the likes of Lionel Messi for the sport’s biggest individual prizes.

Ronaldo earned The Best FIFA Men’s Player award for the second time in October, and retained the prestigious Ballon d’or this month to join Messi on five titles.

Speaking to the FIFA website, the Ronaldo said.

“It’s priceless for me to be here once more, because I’m doing things right in my club and my team,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to make my mark in the world of football, and I’ve done it, I’ve written a chapter in the history of football [by] winning so many titles, being a player, like Messi, a candidate to win individual prizes.

LATE MUELLER GOAL EARNS BAYERN WIN

BERLIN: Bayern Munich needed a late Thomas Mueller goal to beat hosts VFB Stuttgart 1-0 on Saturday.

The champions, whose keeper Sven Ulreich saved a stoppagetime penalty, were again far from effective and looked somewhat surprised by the level of resistance offered by Stuttgart.

The win lifted Bayern to 41 points, with second-placed Schalke rescuing a last-gasp 2-2 at Frankfurt to move onto 30.