A report published by FATF, an international agency responsible for tracking the proceeds of crime, reveals that money laundering through the football sector is "deeper and more complex than previously understood”.

Claims that the youth systems at Premier League football clubs in England are being flooded with overseas players are wide of the mark according to new research.

Diego Maradona's infamous ”hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup is the most famous picture from one of football's fiercest clashes. But was Maradona's hand ball the act of a genious or a cheater? Can sportsmanship and fair play have different standards in different countries?

In Monday’s final session of Play the Game 2009, a number of experts gave varied and incisive presentations on football’s finances. In today’s economic climate, they asked, will football survive in its present state? And if not, what changes can we expect?

The rumours are no longer rumours. They are facts. This was the message delivered by Declan Hill, one of the world’s leading experts on soccer match fixing. Speaking on the first day of the Play the Game conference, Hill gave a detailed account of his experiences investigating bribery and corruption in soccer over the past ten years.

Six teams have entered the third Viva World Cup (VWC) to be staged in northern Italy next month for ‘national’ football sides shunned by FIFA. Padania – a team promoted by the Italian separatist political movement Lega Nord – are hosting the event, which will be staged between June 22 and June 27 in Brescia, Varese and Verona.

The Oceania Football Confederation, one of FIFA’s smallest regional confederations, could be weakened by the exit of more members as chaos surrounds the status of Commonwealth of North Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Exclusive: Play the Game has interviewed representatives from a number of national football teams who are struggling to be allowed to play. Since their country is not recognized by the UN, their teams have difficulties entering FIFA and UEFA leagues.