Platini pushes for Jan-Feb dates for Qatar 2022
By Andrew Warshaw, in Monaco
August 30 – Michel Platini is again insisting on the Qatar 2022 World Cup being switched to winter – in line with a number of other stakeholders.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Europe’s giants get their CL match-ups and Infantino gets tough on racism
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent, in Monaco
August 30 – It may not quite have had the razzmatazz of previous years but the group stage draw for the Champions League nevertheless provided its fair share of anticipation and excitement today.
Premier League clubs set to smash summer spending record
By David Owen
August 30 – Summer transfer spending by Premier League clubs is set to surge to record levels in coming days, triggering concerns that the latest TV bonanza risks being frittered away rather than used to strengthen club finances.
32Red expand into Serie A with Bologna deal
By Mark Baber
August 29 – Gibraltar-based online casino operator 32Red is to become the official casino partner of Italy’s Bologna FC in a new two year deal. 32Red’s logo will be displayed on the pitch-side LED advertising boards at every home game, on interview backdrops and on the official club website.
Epson sponsor deal to focus on development in Singapore
By Mark Baber
August 29 – Epson has agreed a three-year sponsorship worth S$1 million with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). The partnership was launched at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday and sees the printer and projector manufacturer supporting the match-day experience of fans, the development of strategy for coaches and youth development.
Lee Wellings: FIFA were right to move goalposts on technology
FIFA. They really are the masters at changing their stance on an issue, taking ownership of it, and complimenting themselves on their new stance.
Please don’t misunderstand me. It’s a compliment. There are some clever operators in and around the Zurich HQ.
Blatter’s nifty footwork to become a racism trailblazer after his horrible gaffe to me in 2011 is one example.
Greeks revamp league system in bid for TV cash
By Panos Bletsos
August 29 – The Greek football authorities have again reformatted the leagues in a desperate bid to create more revenue. This time the format of the Football League, the country’s second tier, has been changed with immediate effect as the league seeks to generate more TV money.
Fenerbahce out Europa League as CAS upholds two-year ban
By Andrew Warshaw
August 29 – Turkey’s Fenerbahce have had their appeal against Champions League expulsion rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport which upheld UEFA’s two-year ban from European competition over a much-publicised match-fixing scandal.
To FIFA or not to FIFA, that is the question for Platini
By Andrew Warshaw
August 29 – Will he or won’t he stand for FIFA President? It’s a question that has persued UEFA boss Michel Platini wherever he has turned up in recent months – and now he has told the football world exactly when he will give a clear indication one way or the other. Platini says he is still weighing up whether he wants to succeed Sepp Blatter in 2015 but will most likely end all the waiting during UEFA’s next executive committee meeting in Dubrovnik on September 19 and 20.
UEFA warns Kazaks to stop pre-match sacrificing of sheep
By Andrew Warshaw
August 29 – Kazakhstan champions Shakhtar Karagandy, dramatically knocked out by Celtic 3-2 on aggregate in the Champions League playoff round on Wednesday, have been warned by UEFA that they could face disciplinary action if they continue the practise of ritually slaughtering sheep before European games.
Age is no barrier in football; Bulgaria’s ex-PM makes pro debut at 54
By Alexander Krassimirov
August 29 – Bulgaria’s former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov (pictured) has set a record as the oldest professional football player in the history of Bulgaria. The leader of the GERB political party was registered as a professional footballer in the Bulgarian Football Union on August 19 and a week later officially made his debut in Vitosha Bistritsa’s goalless draw against Rakovski in the country’s second-tier league (B grupa).
Malawi file complaint to FIFA over racist comment from Nigeria’s Keshi
By Mark Baber
August 28 – FIFA has confirmed it has received an official complaint from the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) after Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi called Malawi’s Belgian national team coach Tom Saintfiet “a white dude who should go back to Belgium,” in a radio interview.
AIFF saves I-League giving clubs one-off exemption to play this season
By Mark Baber
August 28 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Club Licensing Committee First Instance Body (FIB) meeting in Dwarka decided yeserday to give a one-time exemption for the National Club License to all 12 clubs for the upcoming 2013-14 football season, enabling the league to go-ahead as planned.
Doing the right thing: Yeovil boss allows equaliser after controversial goal
By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – Football clubs are often accused of self-interest and lack of sportsmanship so hats off to Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson for at least trying to partially make amends after admitting poor judgement by him and his team.
Man City denies any interest in Aussie link up, but confirms Heineken renewal
By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – Manchester City have dispelled rumours that they are poised to expand into Australia by purchasing A-League team Western Sydney Wanderers.