Paul Nicholson, Author at Inside World Football - Page 1761 of 1891

Andrew Warshaw: Timing, protocol and the bigger Winter 2022 picture

Let’s put things into perspective. Whilst no-one would deny that Jerome Valcke’s off-the-cuff remarks over a winter World Cup in Qatar were untimely in the extreme, was Sepp Blatter’s right-hand man really telling us anything we didn’t know already?

Stakeholders throughout the game have understandably cried foul at Valcke seemingly jumping the gun before the time frame for global consultation is anywhere near complete.

Insideworldfootball has learned, for example, that the Qatar organisers received more concerned calls over this particular 2022 story that at any time in last two years –

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Adidas and Nike face UK probe over ‘cartel’ accusations in UK

sportswear retailer

By Paul Nicholson
January 10 – Nike and adidas have been referred to the UK government’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) anti-cartel unit following their decisions to supply major outlets only. So far, though, adidas have not been contacted by the OFT regarding an investigation.

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Swiss coach Hitzfeld adds voice to 2014 anti-Amazon match schedule

manaus stadium

January 10 – Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has joined the chorus of disapproval over FIFA’s decision to select Manaus in the heart of the Amazon rain forest as one of the World Cup stadiums.

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‘Quenelle’ comic banned from taking stage in France

Nicolas Anelka

By Andrew Warshaw
January 10 – The controversial French comic whose alleged Nazi-style gesture was copied by former French international Nicolas Anelka, prompting a global outcry by anti-racist groups, was banned from performing this week by the highest court in France – just before he was about to go on stage.

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Aperol brings a bit of fizz to Man Utd’s lean spell

Aperol

January 10 – Gruppo Campari’s Italian aperitif brand Aperol has become the official global spirits sponsor of Manchester United Football Club. The multi-season sponsorship officially launched January 1 and runs until the end of the 2016/2017 season.

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Poland’s Kolporter chief returns to Korona Kielce as €2.4m stadium sponsor

korona kielce stadion

By Jaroslaw Adamowski
January 10 – Poland’s Korona Kielce has signed a sponsorship deal with Kolporter, one of the country’s largest press distribution companies. Under the contract, which will be effective “until at least end of June 2018”, the club’s stadium will be renamed Kolporter Arena.

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Platini goes on attack over ‘early’ winter 2022 comments

Michel Platini 4

By Andrew Warshaw
January 10 – UEFA president Michel Platini has turned up the heat over the timing of FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke’s much-publicised remarks about the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Lee Wellings

Lee Wellings: Saints and sinners. Blaming refs demeans football

The very last subject I’d usually want to talk about is referees.

I mean, have you heard yourselves?

Moaning at the ref, accusing him of bias, pointing to your watches. As if it’s an easy job, as if decisions are not made in the split second under high pressure. As if we actually give credit for the many decisions that are correct.

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Malay fans see red as Tan imposes another club colour change

Kedah merchandise

January 9 – Malaysian second tier club Kedah have denied that they have been forced to change their colours from green and yellow to red as a result of fresh investment by controversial Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan.

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Hitzlsperger out, coaching body launches LGBT advice section on website

Thomas Hitzlsperger

By Paul Nicholson
January 9 – The messages of anti-discrimination and social inclusion of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people might be starting to get through as more high profile athletes and governing bodies are taking stands. Thomas Hitzlsperger became the biggest name footballer to come out as gay, while in the US the National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America has added a ‘Gay, Lesbian and Ally’ page to its website.

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Cayman kick off for CONCACAF Women’s U20 championship

draw-girls-concacaf-018-2

January 9 – The CONCACAF Women’s Under 20 Championship kicks off toady in the Cayman Islands with a double headed opener with Guatemala taking on Jamaica, followed by two-time defending champion United States against Costa Rica.

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INSIDE World Football launched in China with NetEase

BDW TeamOverview MartinWagner

January 9 – INSIDE World Football is proud to announce our new and groundbreaking partnership with NeEase – www.163.com -and its main sports portal where INSIDE World Football will be a daily feature in Chinese. Launched today, INSIDE World football’s daily content is available to some 500 million Chinese users. NetEase is one of China’s most visited websites and China’s largest email services provider.

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Valcke comments on switch to Winter 2022 gets a heated reception

Jerome Valcke 6

By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
January 8 – In a move that took the entire football world by surprise, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke appears to have jumped the gun by stating that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be definitely switched to winter.

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Leeds and Charlton get new owners, while Bolton’s losses sky rocket

Leeds United

By Paul Nicholson
January 8 – English Championship club Leeds United is about to change ownership – again. Currently majority-owned by GFH Capital, a new consortium fronted by the club’s managing director David Haigh and Andrew Flowers, the managing director of the club’s main sponsor Enterprise Insurance, are poised to get shareholder control.

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Johnson steps down from English FA’s ‘inclusion’ board over gay comments

Michael Johnson

January 8 – A former professional footballer has stepped down from a key English pro-equality panel following criticism over comments he made last year describing homosexuality as “detestable”.