Beckham finally lands Miami stadium site, Sacramento look likely to miss out

Miami Orange Bowl

By Ben Nicholson
December 7 – David Beckham is al last enjoying some Floridian sunlight on his campaign to exercise his contractual option to create an MLS expansion team. After three years of toiling, and scorching in political heat, Beckham has secured a site for his team’s home stadium. The MLS approved the location, getting Beckham over a hurdle that last week threatened to indefinitely suspend the idea.

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David Owen: FIFA – a glimmer of hope while rearranging the deckchairs

Working your way through the 240-page “superseding indictment” unveiled on Thursday by United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch by way of a powerful aftershock to the earthquake that laid waste to the FIFA Congress in May, it would be all too easy to form the view that we should disband FIFA and start all over again with governance of the world’s most popular sport.

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Man City woo London market with Virgin partnership

City in the City

December 4 – While Manchester City’s holding company City Football group has been making headlines signing up a $400 million shareholder to boost the group’s expansion into China, the company’s prime asset has been deepening its links with its domestic fans via an integrated marketing deal with a travel partner.

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Man Utd keeps its TV rhythm going with Caribbean deal

Man Utd and Flow

December 4 – Manchester United is again using its MUTV channel to drive the club’s brand and commercial presence into international markets. Last week it announced a distribution deal into Indonesia, this week it unveiled a partnership with telecoms giant Cable and Wireless Communications for the Caribbean.

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US justice battles FIFA head-on in the ‘World Cup of fraud’

Screen Shot 2015-12-04 at 00.30.55

By Paul Nicholson
December 4 – Just when FIFA’s executive committee thought it was safe to return to Zurich for their final meeting of the year – an event that would climax with the eagerly anticipated unveiling of FIFA’s new (and game-changing) reform proposals – football’s now habitual party poopers from the US justice authorities unleashed a second tsunami on the world governing body.

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