The taxman has been on a purge over image rights deals.
And one big name has been caught up in an almighty row with their club and HMRC after putting himself on a collision course with both.
The player in question got a deal worth over £200,000-a-week after sacrificing 50 per cent of his image rights to help get the agreement over the line.
But HMRC are determined to see genuine proof of earnings on image rights and the club also wants their pound of flesh in terms of marketing and commercial deals.
However, the player signed the contract and never assumed that he would have to do anything extra - but got a rude shock when he was given an allotted amount of time and personal appearances for the club.
It has caused huge rows and fall-outs between the player, his agent and the club - and perhaps explains why his form has been patchy this season to say the least.
The player, who is not being named, is far from being alone in this situation as HMRC are determined to make sure that image rights is no longer a tax dodge or a way of boosting salary without actually doing anything for it.
Refreshing fan emphasis at Club World Cup
It was good and a refreshing change to see FIFA put a major emphasis on fans in the stadium in their new technology for semi-automatic offsides.
All too often the match-going fan is kept out of the loop while TV viewers get to see everything.
But a major part of the trials features animated pictures explaining offside decisions and they will be shown as quickly as possible on stadium big screens.
Wenger and McClaren out at Club World Cup
Arsene Wenger and former England boss Steve McClaren are just two of the FIFA bigwigs in Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup.
Former Arsenal boss Wenger has attended all of the games while McClaren is working for FIFA in a technical role, putting together reports and data on team and player performances.
Arsenal hoping Guimaraes doesn't turn into new van Dijk
Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes talked about how Arsenal showed an interest in him before he signed for Newcastle.
But, rather like a few clubs, Arsenal passed on the 24-year-old when he was at Lyon, as they were uncertain whether he would reach the very top. Only time will tell whether that is the right call.
However, they will be hoping they do not get proved wrong as they famously did over Virgil van Dijk. Arsenal brokered an £11m deal with Celtic for van Dijk before he joined Southampton only for the scouting department to veto it.
David Dein's class touch
David Dein was always known for having a touch of class during his time long career in football.
And the former Arsenal vice-chairman lived up to that reputation to drive up to Liverpool and straight back to attend Peter Robinson’s funeral last week.
Former Liverpool secretary Robinson was loved and respected throughout the game with the likes of Kenny Dalglish and Mark Lawrenson in attendance.
But Dein’s presence as he made an eight hour trip was hugely appreciated by everyone there. What a classy touch.
Team sheets get technology boost
Referees are expected to use new technology and do away with traditional team sheets in the FA Cup.
The Football Association have an app - similar to the Premier League - where the line-ups are shown ten minutes before they are released to the public.
That is also designed to give broadcasters a head start so they can prepare their pre-match interviews.
Referee Simon Hooper was left relying on just the app rather than an old school team sheet before taking charge of Chelsea ’s fourth round tie with Plymouth last weekend and some officials still prefer having the names written down in front of them.
Palace's part in Blitzer's sports empire
US tycoon David Blitzer is a shareholder in Crystal Palace and his investment has helped chairman Steve Parish build even stronger foundations at Selhurst Park.
But Blitzer is also building a sports empire, with interests in the Philadelphia 76ers and FC Augsburg among stakes in six clubs.
Blitzer has been spending big at Bundesliga side Augsburg which perhaps suggest that Palace could soon be part of a group of clubs which is the way many of Europe’s most ambitious clubs are heading.
Super agent's son hits out at FIFA process
Josh Barnett, son of super agent Jonathan Barnett, has described FIFA’s consolation process over new regulations as a “pantomime.”
FIFA put out a press release last week saying they had held “constructive” talks over new regulations, including strict rules on dual representation and licensing.
But Barnett, a board member of The Football Forum, said: “This is the pantomime of a consultation. This meeting is nothing but another endeavour to distort the reality of a process which is far away from being genuine or robust.”
