More than they can chew: Romero and Ceren banned for biting US players
July 24 – El Salvador defender Henry Romero has received a six-game ban after biting USA striker Jozy Altidore during their Gold Cup quarter-final.
Concacaf
Kraft to chair North American 2026 World Cup bid
July 20 – Robert Kraft (pictured), owner of Super Bowl champions New England Patriots but, more significantly, a key player in the growth of soccer in the United States, has been named honorary chairman of the board for the joint 2026 World Cup bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Honduras to host 8-team CONCACAF Futsal Club Championships
July 20 – Honduras will host the second CONCACAF Futsal Club Championship this August 21-26.
ICC opens its US summer season with Roma vs PSG ahead of the Manchester derby
July 19 – Tonight the fifth edition of the International Champions Cup (ICC) kicks off in Detroit, USA, with Roma playing Paris St Germain. Tomorrow Manchester City and United replicate their local derby in Houston. The ICC may lack more than a little sporting integrity but it does deliver the biggest club names.
Unpaid Italian coaches forced out of Trinidad as questions mount over TTFA monies
By Paul Nicholson
July 18 – Trinidad and Tobago FA president David John-Williams who two weeks caught the ire of his members at the federation’s extra ordinary general meeting, this week could be facing a $600,000 plus lawsuit for failing to pay the Italian coaches of its women’s team.
Gold Cup heads into knock-out rounds with big guns all firing
July 17 – The 12-team Gold Cup tournament has reached the quarter final stage with three power nations of the CONCACAF region – Costa Rica, Mexico and the US – all avoiding each other in the first round of knock-out games.
CONCACAF opens second regional office in Guatemala
July 14 – North, Central America and Caribbean confederation has opened a second regional office in Guatemala City, Guatemala. This follows the opening of a regional office in Kingston, Jamaica in May.
Malouda banned, Honduras awarded the win, Gold Cup group stages go to the wire
By Paul Nicholson
July 14 – French Guiana has been ruled to forfeit its last Gold Cup group game to Honduras for playing former French international Florent Malouda. The 3-0 forfeit (the match itself was a 0-0 draw) puts Honduras firmly back into contention for qualification to the next round of the competition.
US soccer legend, FBI informant, tax cheat, self-enricher, thief – Blazer passes
By Andrew Warshaw
July 13 – Love him or loathe him, no-one can deny Chuck Blazer his legendary place in the annals of football politics. The burly American, whose admissions of guilt set off the corruption scandal that heaped disgrace on FIFA, has died aged 72 after battling cancer and other illnesses, bringing to an end one the most colourful and controversial careers in the history of the sport.
Malouda takes shine off French Guiana’s Gold Cup after eligibility complaint
July 12 – Capped 80 times by France, Florent Malouda has sparked an eligibility investigation having played in the Gold Cup group match for French Guiana against Honduras which was drawn 0-0 last night.
Mexico kick off Gold Cup defence with a bang but Osorio ban leaves him watching from the stands
July 10 – Mexico, hard on the heels of their Confederations Cup semi-final and third place play-off appearances in Russia earlier this month, have opened their CONCACAF Gold Cup defence in the US with a resounding 3-1 win against El Salvador.
Jeff Webb associate Bruce Blake arrested in Cayman on corruption charges
By Paul Nicholson
July 3 – The Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) has been hit by further scandal with the arrest of First Vice-President Bruce Blake (pictured) by the Cayman Islands Anti-Corruption Commission. A second Cayman Island football official is believed to have been arrested but no names have been released.
Newtown caught in old-school politics as Johnson seeks to retain St Kitts presidency
By Paul Nicholson
June 22 – A storm is brewing in the Caribbean between the St.Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) and its member clubs. Elections take place later this month with president Anthony Johnson standing for re-election.
Beckham’s Miami MLS bid boosted by long-awaited land deal for new stadium
June 9 – Four years after starting proceedings, a consortium headed by David Beckham has cleared a crucial hurdle in bringing a Major League Soccer franchise back to Miami.
Jamaican football leader Capt. Horace Burrell dies, aged 67
June 7 – Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) president and CONCACAF senior vice president Captain Horace Burrell has died, aged 67, following a battle against cancer.