The Council of Europe is sceptical about FIFA’s appointment of Maria Claudia Rojas, the chairwoman of the Ethics Committee’s Investigatory Chamber.

A report by the human rights organisation argues that Rojas doesn’t have the skills for the job. Written by Anne Brasseur, a representative from Luxembourg who is a member of the Parti Democratique, it states, according to the Guardian’s David Conn: “Also, her lack of knowledge of English and French is a major obstacle, as almost all documents (relevant to the investigations) are in one of these two languages.

“This is not merely a factor that risks slowing her down in her examination of case files … but it also means – and this is much more problematic – that she is more dependent on the (FIFA) secretariat that assists her and that it is objectively difficult for her to enter into confidential contacts with witnesses or experts.”

Cornel Borbely and Hans-Joachim Eckert were omitted from FIFA’s proposal of the members for its judicial bodies in May. The former was the chairman of the Ethics Committee’s Investigatory Chamber and was replaced by Rojas, a judge from Colombia. The omissions reportedly took place while Gianni Infantino, the president of football’s governing body, was under investigation for two alleged instances of malpractice.

The report concluded that, by removing Borbely and Eckert, FIFA undermined the independence of reformed integrity procedures.

“Regretfully, the general feeling is that FIFA Council and Mr. Infantino, in particular, wished to get rid of persons who might have embarrassed them,” Brasseur wrote.

Brasseur referred to Rojas as a professional “of the highest level and of the highest integrity,” but wrote that her job “calls for experience in the field of criminal investigations, especially financial investigations, which Ms. Rojas does not have. She does not really meet the profile of a ‘prosecutor.'”

Per Conn, Borbely was investigating the alleged role of Vitaly Mutko – Russia’s deputy prime minister, the president of the Football Union of Russia, and a member of the Organising Committee for the World Cup – in state-sponsored doping when he was removed by FIFA.

On Monday, Mutko was excluded by the International Olympic Committee from participatin all future Olympic Games. The decision was announced as the Russian Olympic Committee was suspended by the IOC for the systematic manipulation of the anti-doping rules and system in Russia. FIFA said the decision “has no impact on the preparations for the 2018 World Cup.”

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have returned to the days of hardcore football scouting and analysis.

The hiring of John Dorsey to be the team’s general manager brings in a longtime scout and former GM to run the organization. How and if analytics — espoused by predecessor Sashi Brown — fit will be determined, but a guy who spent much of his career as a scout figures to spend his future relying on scouting.

Dorsey, 57, is considered at his best in evaluating talent. He would work closely with head coach Hue Jackson, who said he does not need or want final say over personnel because it’s too much to both coach and have those duties. But Jackson said what’s most important is that he and the GM work “in concert.”

The hiring of Dorsey will give Jackson clearer input into the kind of players he needs to make his system work. Brown, who was fired as executive vice president Thursday, worked more with a long-term vision, and Jackson had to carry the weight of a 1-27 record on his résumé while coaching a less than stocked roster.

Dorsey and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid worked closely in Kansas City, joining the team as general manager in 2013 until Dorsey’s contract was not renewed in a surprising decision in June. The Chiefs went 43-21 during his tenure; when he was not renewed, there was speculation about his management style and skills.

Dorsey was one of the main names on the market when it comes to experienced candidates. He is liked and respected throughout the league and would bring credibility to a winless team.

Dorsey was raised in football, going from a player to a scout to join Mike Holmgren in Seattle in 1999 as director of player personnel. In 2000, he returned to the Packers as director of college scouting. As a player, he set the Packers’ record for special-teams tackles in 1984.

Among his noteworthy draft picks are cornerback Marcus Peters, receiver Tyreek Hill, tight end Travis Kelce and running back Kareem Hunt.

FIFA’s decision to remove Cornel Borbely, the chairman of the Ethics Committee’s Investigatory Chamber, reportedly came at a convenient time.

According to the Guardian’s David Conn, FIFA ousted Borbely while he was on the trail of Vitaly Mutko – Russia’s deputy prime minister, president of the Football Union of Russia, and member of the Organising Committee for the World Cup. The Swiss lawyer was apparently examining doping allegations when his tenure was terminated in May.

More specifically, Borbely was allegedly investigating the role of Mutko in state-sponsored doping, and was examining the evidence on Russia and the deputy prime minister’s activities.

On Monday, Mutko was excluded by the International Olympic Committee from any participation in all future Olympic Games. The decision was announced as the Russian Olympic Committee was suspended by the IOC for the systematic manipulation of the anti-doping rules and system in Russia. FIFA said the decision “has no impact on the preparations for the 2018 World Cup.”

Borbely and Hans-Joachim Eckert, who was employed as the chairman of the Ethics Committee’s Adjudicatory Chamber, were omitted from FIFA’s proposal of the members for its judicial bodies, and replaced by Maria Claudia Rojas and Vassilios Skouris, respectively. Conn reported in June that their omissions took place while Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, was under investigation for more than one alleged instance of malpractice. The chairmen complained they were given zero notice their four-year terms wouldn’t be renewed, and were working on “hundreds of cases.”

According to Conn, Mutko faces a ban from football if FIFA agrees with the World Anti-Doping Agency and IOC.

NFL Nation reporters assess the biggest injuries across the league for Week 14.

NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West
AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West

NFC EAST

Linebacker Sean Lee will return to the defense after missing nearly four full games because of a hamstring strain when the Cowboys face the Giants on Sunday, which should be a major boost. In the five full games without Lee this season, the Cowboys have given up an average of 136 yards on the ground and 23.8 points. In the seven games he has played, the Cowboys have allowed 87.7 yards per game on the ground and 18.3 points. While Lee will be back, cornerback Orlando Scandrick will not play because of two transverse process fractures in his back. There are questions about whether right tackle La’el Collins will be available against New York, which would put Byron Bell in the starting lineup. — Todd Archer

Sterling Shepard is back on the injury report, this time with a hamstring injury. It has been that kind of season for the second-year wide receiver. When he’s on the field, he’s productive. But it has been one thing after another this year between his ankle, migraines and hamstring. He’s now in serious doubt for this week’s matchup with the Cowboys. — Jordan Raanan

Tight end Zach Ertz remains in concussion protocol but is doing well and attending meetings, according to coach Doug Pederson, who believes Ertz is experienced enough to play Sunday even if he’s not cleared until later in the week and has to miss most of practice. If he’s unable to go, expect Trey Burton and Brent Celek to have increased roles. — Tim McManus

As usual, the biggest injury questions for Washington are tight end Jordan Reed and left tackle Trent Williams. Reed’s hamstring will likely force him to miss a seventh consecutive game. And while Williams is never quite sure on Wednesday whether he’ll play Sunday, it would be surprising if he ended up sitting. He understands his importance to the team, especially with the Chargers having two excellent pass-rushers in Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. Tackle Morgan Moses will also be one to watch, but he was walking around fine on his sprained ankles. Like Williams, it’s hard to get him to sit out. — John Keim

NFC NORTH

Three defensive starters sat out practice on Wednesday: outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (shoulder), safety Adrian Amos (hamstring) and nose tackle Eddie Goldman (hip). McPhee was unable to finish last week’s game against San Francisco, and is a real question mark to face the Bengals this Sunday. McPhee hurt his shoulder at the end of last year, which caused him to miss the 2016 regular-season finale. — Jeff Dickerson

The biggest question mark is quarterback Matthew Stafford and his right hand. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, only doing handoffs in front of reporters. He has also kept the hand covered in almost every public moment around the media. Neither Stafford nor coach Jim Caldwell gave any concrete indication whether Stafford would be fine to play Sunday. Right tackle Rick Wagner (ankle) and right guard T.J. Lang (foot) both missed practice. Considering the offensive line issues, it could be a major problem for a run game that is already one of the worst in the NFL if they’re out. Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (ankle) also missed practice. Thursday will be a massive practice day, and if the Lions are without those four, a must-win game at Tampa Bay just got exceedingly more difficult. — Michael Rothstein

• 

  Will the Packers sneak into a wild-card spot once Aaron Rodgers returns? Can the Raiders upset the Chiefs? Which top running back should you bench for the first round of fantasy playoffs? Our experts weigh in.

• 

  Jared Goff and the Rams host Carson Wentz and the Eagles this week, as the top two picks in the same draft face off as opposing QBs for just the eighth time in the Super Bowl era. That event also claims FPI top billing for matchup quality in Week 14.

• Rating every head coach’s job security »
• Everything to know about potential openings »

After sitting out last week’s game against the Browns with a knee injury, rookie wide receiver Mike Williams was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Williams ran routes during the early portion of practice open to reporters, wearing a brace on his injured right knee. Coach Anthony Lynn said he will evaluate Williams’ status for Sunday’s game against Washington later in the week. “We would like to have Mike,” Lynn said. “He’s going to be day-to-day. He made some big-time improvements from last week to this week.” — Eric D. Williams