By Andrew Warshaw
August 21 – In a deeply symbolic match, hailed by FIFA as a major sporting breakthrough, Afghanistan beat neighbours Pakistan 3-0 on Tuesday, the first international game played in Kabul in a decade and the first between the two countries in the Afghan capital for over 30 years.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 21 – Hope Powell, one of the most recognisable faces in women’s football, has been sacked after 15 years as manager of the England national team following the country’s group stage exit at Euro 2013 last month.
By Jake Gable
August 20 – Valencia have revealed that the club’s debt now stands at €275.7 million (£235.1 million) after a due diligence report by consultancy firm KPMG. Club president Amadeo Salvo explained that the Spanish club’s debt has reduced by €66 million (£56.3 million) since 2008 and described the economic management as “positive”, however there are still general concerns for the state of financial health for many La Liga clubs, especially under new FFP (Financial Fair Play) rules and regulations set out by governing body UEFA.
By Paul Nicholson
August 20 – The start of the Premier League season in England has been accompanied by a flurry of club sponsorship action from online gaming and betting companies eager to tap into the Premier League fan base.
By Mark Baber
August 20 – Any Russian politician or official caught with a foreign bank account will be forced to resign or sacked according to a new law which came into force on Monday. The law was passed by the Duma three months ago and has already led to the resignation of Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich from his position as chairman of the local parliament in Chukotka.
By Mark Baber
August 20 – Tottenham have announced a deal with Asian insurance company AIA, which sees the North London club continue to have separate short sponsors for the Premier League and Cup competitons, whilst East London’s West Ham extends its partnership with international mobile operator Lycamobile.
2012
2011
2010
Totals (PL only):
1620497
1562911
1341085
Arsenal
143448
124401
110733
Aston Villa
69609
83395
79974
Birmingham
n/a
45088
36739 ◊
Blackburn
49976
49870
47382
Blackpool
n/a
13556
12976 *
Bolton
55342
56064
54971
Burnley
n/a
n/a
22372
Chelsea
171036
189539
172552
Everton
63389
58026
54311
Fulham
62257
57672
49285
Hull
n/a
n/a
38252
Liverpool
118671 ◊
134768
121085
Manchester C
201789
173977
133306
Manchester U
161688
152915
131689
Newcastle
64097
53585
47458 *
Norwich
36738
18445 *
12178 *
Portsmouth
n/a
n/a
? Read more …
By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – In a rare show of defiance against one of English football’s most successful managers, Arsenal fans have urged the club to put on hold any new deal for Arsene Wenger until and unless there is strong investment in players and results improve.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – Blighted for months by a series of match-fixing and racism cases, Lazio, one of Rome’s two iconic clubs, shows no sign of improving its image following yet another punishment for discrimination by its fans.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – German football authorities have begun a probe into a rare case of racism after abuse was directed at Under-21 international Danny da Costa by fans of 1860 Munich during a second division game on Sunday. The club have already issued an apology to da Costa who plays for FC Ingolstadt, with sports director Florian Hinterberger telling German television the incident was “extremely regrettable”.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – British football has been rocked by two separate cases of illegal betting, one involving a Scottish international, the other the managing director of fourth-tier club, as the outlawed practise is one again brought into sharp focus.
2012
2011
2010
Wages
143,448
(4th)
124,401
(5th)
110,733
(5th)
Transfer Spending
69,609
83,395
79,974
Turnover
n/a
45,088
36,739 ◊
Solvency index
49,976
49,870
47,382
Cashflow
n/a
13,556
12,976 *
Wages to turnover
55,342
56,064
54,971
League position
1st
2nd
3rd
Arsenal’s forced marriage of a football club with a property business to deal with the Emirates Stadium and its associated projects gave rise to a great,
By Mark Baber
August 19 – FIFA yesterday completed an inspection of facilities for the 2015 Women’s World Cup and has given Canada a clean bill of health, although questions over the artificial pitches to be used will not be answered until next year. Meanwhile, Secretary General Jerome Valcke begins yet another inspection visit to Brazil today, to check preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 19 – Russia’s sports minister Vitaly Mutko, who is also head of the country’s 2018 World Cup organising committee, has accused western media of overplaying the anti-gay issue that has caused such a furore among athletes, officials, politicians and activists.
By Mark Baber
August 19 – Indian club football has been thrown into chaos with all its I-League clubs failing to pass the club licensing test – leaving the league without a single eligible club. At the same time the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and their sponsors IMG-Reliance are continuing their drive to emulate the success of Indian cricket by restructuring football including setting up a new tournament and new franchise clubs.