Billionaire Soros buys shares in Manchester United
By David Gold
August 22 – Billionaire George Soros has invested in Manchester United, purchasing 3.1 million of the club’s shares.
Premier League
Soriano confirmed as Manchester City’s new chief executive
By Andrew Warshaw
August 21 – Manchester City’s ambitions to become a major power both commercially and in the transfer market have been given a boost with the appointment of Ferran Soriano as the club’s new chief executive officer in succession to Garry Cook.
Manchester United to launch MUTV in Japan
By David Gold
August 21 – Manchester United’s dedicated television channel, MUTV, is to launch in Japan after the Premier League club joined forces with Japanese television station Fuji TV.
Manchester United signs new deal with betting company bwin
By David Gold
August 20 – European sports bookmaker bwin has announced a partnership with Premier League giants Manchester United.
Ferdinand fined for Twitter “choc ice” comments
By David Gold
August 20 – Rio Ferdinand has been fined £45,000 ($70,000/€57,000) by the English Football Association (FA) for comments on the social networking site Twitter.
Muamba announces retirement
By David Gold
August 17 – Fabrice Muamba has announced his retirement from football, months after miraculously surviving a heart attack during an English FA Cup tie.
UEFA fair play rules are flawed, says Liverpool’s owner
By David Gold
August 13 – Liverpool owner John W Henry has cast doubt on whether UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules will work.
Manchester United lower stock value ahead of New York Stock Exchange debut
By David Gold
August 10 – Manchester United have announced they will float on the New York Stock Exchange for $14 (£9/€11) per share, rather than the $16 (£10/€13) originally announced.
London 2012 football final forces Community Shield to Villa Park
By Andrew Warshaw
August 9 – The traditional curtain-raiser to the English Premier League season, the Community Shield, is being switched to Villa Park from Wembley this Sunday as the national stadium will not be ready to host the event.
Top-flight footballers can learn from Olympians, say Townsend and Southgate
By Andrew Warshaw
August 9 – Football at the highest level can learn from the Olympics in terms of harnessing the feel good factor that has pervaded London 2012, according to two of Britain’s most respected voices.
Premier League launches new under-21 competition
By David Gold
August 6 – A new competition for players under 21 years of age in England is being launched to help improve the quality of home-grown young footballers in the country.
Manchester United to raise £210 million from New York flotation
By David Gold
July 31 – Manchester United has announced its intention to raise £210 million ($330 million/€269 million) from its flotation on the New York Stock Exchange.
Ferdinand charged by FA over Twitter “choc ice” comments
By Andrew Warshaw
July 31 – The social networking site Twitter, already proving hugely controversial in the Olympic Games, has also landed Manchester United and former England defender Rio Ferdinand in hot water after he was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association (FA).
FA charge Terry for abusive and insulting behaviour
By Andrew Warshaw
July 28 – Two weeks after being cleared of racial abuse in a criminal prosecution, former England captain John Terry was charged by the Football Association (FA) yesterday for virtually the same offence.
O2 end Arsenal sponsorship
By David Gold
July 25 – After the bombshell that Robin van Persie would not be renewing his Arsenal deal, O2 have decided to end their association with the Premier League club as well.