Workers go on strike at the Maracana following explosion
By David Gold
August 18 – Construction workers have gone on strike at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana following an explosion during renovation work.
Archive
Manchester City’s sponsorship deal with Etihad to be probed by UEFA
By David Gold
August 17 – UEFA will investigate the sponsorship deal Manchester City signed with Etihad earlier this summer in the first major test of their new financial fair play regulations.
A first on Facebook as this season’s FA Cup gets underway
By David Gold
August 17 – The opening match of this season’s FA Cup, between Ascot United of the Hellenic League and Combined Counties League outfit Wembley FC, is to be the first football match ever broadcast live on social networking site Facebook.
Russia 2018 World Cup final venue is likely to be renovated rather than demolished
By David Gold
August 17 – The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, which is set to host the final of the 2018 World Cup, is unlikely to be demolished ahead of the competition despite concerns over the cost of renovating the venue.
World Cup suspension on Belize has been lifted
By David Gold
August 17 – Belize has been cleared to compete in World Cup qualifying after FIFA removed a threat to suspend the country over alleged Government interference in football affairs.
Romario strikes a blow for the common man
By David Gold
August 17 – Brazilian legend Romario (pictured) has claimed that the 2014 World Cup will only benefit the wealthy, calling ticket prices “absurd”.
Blazer denies being investigated by the FBI
By David Gold
August 17 – CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer (pictured) has vigorously denied reports circulating that he is being investigated by the FBI.
Manchester United to float on Singapore stock exchange
By David Gold
August 16 – Manchester United are set to publicly float up to £610 million ($1 billlion /€690 million) of the club’s shares on the Singapore Stock Exchange by the end of the year, it was revealed today.
Rupert Murdoch company being probed over Champions Leagues television rights
By David Gold
August 16 – An investigation into Rupert Murdoch’s Sky Italia by Italy’s competition authority for its acquisition of the rights to air the 2010 and 2014 World Cups has been extended to include the News Corp subsidiary’s UEFA Champions League rights.
Head of Brazil 2014 being investigated for embezzlement
By David Gold
August 16 – A police inquiry has been opened up against Brazilian football chief Ricardo Teixeira, who is suspected of involvement in the embezzling of nine million reales (£2.5 million /€2.8 million) generated from a friendly game between Brazil and Portugal in 2008.
Turkish league season to belatedly begin following match-fixing probe
By David Gold
August 15 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has confirmed that their league season, which had been postponed due to a match-fixing probe, will begin on September 9, and that no sanctions would be forthcoming for the teams involved.
FIFA President should be limited to two terms says Transparency International
By David Gold
August 16 – Corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) has told FIFA to limit to two terms the length of time their Presidents can serve if they want to reform their image and rebuild trust with the football community.
FIFA says FC Sion’s ban on fielding new signings must be enforced
By David Gold
August 15 – FIFA has warned Switzerland to enforce its ruling that FC Sion are unable to field six new signings after the Swiss League allowed the club to select three players barred from competition by world football’s governing body last weekend.
FIFA announce probe into 16 Caribbean football officials
Andrew Warshaw
August 11 – Sixteen Caribbean officials are to be probed by FIFA for their roles in the recent bribery scandal that led to the downfall of former Asian football supremo Mohamed Bin Hammam and the resignation of senior FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.
Strike action by players hits La Liga fixtures
By David Gold
August 11 – Players in Spain have announced that they will go on strike for the opening two rounds of fixtures in La Liga and the Segunda Liga, Luis Rubiales, the President of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE), has confirmed.