AFC bans two for positive dope tests at Challenge Cup
August 11 – The Asian Football Confederation has handed out two-year bans to two players for doping offenses.
News
The ‘penguin-walk’ tactic on last legs as UEFA brings in vanishing spray
By Andrew Warshaw
August 11 – Vanishing spray to ensure players do not encroach at freekicks outside the penalty area is to be used in UEFA club competitions this season following its successful implementation at the World Cup.
Murcia protests fall on deaf ears as LFP banishes club to third tier
August 8 – The parlous financial state of much of Spanish football has been underlined yet again with Real Murcia demoted to the third tier of the league. It is huge fall from grace for Murcia, who finished fourth in the second division last season before being beaten in the promotion playoffs by Cordoba.
Al Ain targets female fans and families to fill new stadium
August 8 – Abu Dhabi club Al Ain has launched a season ticket initiative for fans in its new Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, one of the few clubs in the region to have such a scheme. But what is most notable about the initiative is that females and families across the region are being encouraged to participate.
Celtic back in CL after Legia 3-0 forfeit puts Scots through on away goals
By Andrew Warshaw
August 8 – Despite being well beaten in both legs, Celtic were dramatically given a Champions League lifeline today after Legia Warsaw were kicked out for fielding an ineligible player – the second time in recent years that the Scots have earned a lucky reprieve.
Digital board replacement opens doors to new sponsors and revenues
By Paul Nicholson
August 8 – Clubs and leagues could be missing out on up to 30% of the value of their international media sales inventory, according to a leading digital replacement advertising board specialist. New technology is now unlocking added sponsorship real estate as well as opening rightsholders to advertising clients that would previously never have considered the opportunity.
Suarez legal team arrives confident for CAS hearing
August 8 – Luis Suarez’ appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has begun in Switzerland, the outcome determining whether the Uruguay international will have to serve a four-month ban for infamously biting an opponent at the World Cup.
Nike builds club base as Adidas focuses on premium brands in Euro zone
By Andrew Warshaw
August 8 – US sportswear giant Nike has outpaced its German rival Adidas in supplying kit to Europe’s top five leagues ahead of the 2014/15 season for the first time since 2009-10 according to new statistics supplied by Sports marketing research group Repucom and PR Marketing.
MLS All-Stars leave Bayern bruised and beaten in annual showcase
By Ben Nicholson
August 8 – The mid-week MLS All-Star game set another high mark for this summer of US soccer that has seen all records being broken. Bayern Munich were defeated 2-1 in the 19th All-Star game in front 21,733 spectators at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, sponsored by AT&T.
Scottish leagues boost broadcast deals in time for season kick off
August 7 – The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), the newly merged body running club football in the country, has announced an increase in its broadcast partnerships that are “worth a substantial six-figure sum to be distributed across all 42 clubs.”
German offer to stop Euro 2020 finals bid gives English chance of redemption
By Mark Baber
August 7 – German Football Association (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach has repeated his comments that his country may withdraw from the bidding to host the latter stages of Euro 2020, being spread across the entire continent, in order to concentrate on staging 2024 on its own.
Segura takes over at Argentine FA following death of Grondona
August 7 – Luis Segura has been confirmed as president of the Argentine FA until October next year following the death of Julio Grondona.
Grass or turf: World Cup women raise the level of dispute with legal challenge
By Andrew Warshaw
August 7 – The decision to use artificial turf for next year’s Women’s World Cup is developing into a major row with some of the world’s leading players now even suggesting the move violates their human rights.
Russians release cash for Volgograd and test visa free entry
August 7- Indications that Volgograd will retain host status for the Russia 2018 World Cup could not have been stronger with the announcement that the Zenit sports complex in the city will receive 56 million rubles ($1.5 million) for reconstruction enabling it to become one of the training centres for the tournament.
Webb blows his final whistle but stays on in technical role
August 7 – England’s leading referee Howard Webb, who took charge of the 2010 World Cup final, has ended his 25-year career on the pitch – and will now scrutinise the performances of his colleagues instead.