Ajax’s Nouri out of coma but brain damage is irreparable
July 14 – The Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri, who collapsed during a recent pre-season friendly, has suffered serious and permanent brain damage, the club have announced.
World Football
FIFA lifts Sudan suspension allowing AFCON qualifier against Burundi to go ahead
July 14 – The Bureau of the FIFA Council has lifted the suspension imposed on the Sudan Football Association (SFA) for government interference, but it is too late for the Sudanese clubs who had already been disqualified from CAF competitions. However, the good news is it is in time to allow to the national team to fulfil this weekend’s fixture against Burundi in African Nations Championship 2018 qualification.
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.
South African second tier club buys rival and its place in Premier Soccer League
By Andrew Warshaw
July 13 – South African football has been plunged into controversy after the country’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) allowed a Durban-based club to buy their way into the top flight.
Relegated Bastia lose appeal and drop another division to third tier
July 12 – French club Bastia have failed in their appeal against relegation to the French third division, having already been demoted once on financial grounds after finishing bottom of Ligue 1.
Sierra Leone battle intensifies as sports minister accused of deceiving public
By Andrew Warshaw
July 12 – The crisis enveloping Sierra Leone football has taken a further twist with the country’s sports minister facing accusations of deliberately misleading the public in an attempt to oust the country’s female FA president Isha Johansen.
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.
Roadmap set for Sudan to return to FIFA as security services raid sports newspapers
By Mark Baber
July 12 – A roadmap was agreed on Sunday between the Sudanese Minister of Youth and Sports, the Sudan Football Federation, and the so-called ’30 April Group’ to try and restore the country to FIFA after last week’s suspension.
Vasco da Gama to play behind closed doors after fan shot dead in riots
July 12 – Brazilian club Vasco da Gama have been ordered to play home matches behind closed doors after a 27-year-old fan was shot dead during clashes with military police.
FIFA steps into Sierra Leone politics to support Johansen and suspend elections
By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – Six months after FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura visited the country on a mission to resolve a festering internal dispute, the annual congress of Sierra Leone’s FA, scheduled for Friday to pave the way for elections, has been suspended by FIFA.
Portuguese prosecutors crack down on politicians accepting gifts to Euro 2016 finals
By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – Three high-ranking Portuguese politicians have resigned “to avoid harming the government” amid an investigation into allegations that they took all-expenses-paid trips to Euro 2016 from sponsors of the national team.
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.
Morocco keeps up outreach strategy with Zambian development deal
By Mark Baber
July 10 -The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has signed a two-year cooperation agreement with the Royal Football Federation of Morocco (FRM) which will see the two associations partner in football development.
Ajax’s Nouri is out of danger after heart attack in Werder Bremen friendly
July 10 – Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri is “out of danger” but remains in intensive care after collapsing during a pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen, the latest case highlighting the dangers of cardiac arrest amongst professional footballers.
Stadium stampede at Malawi club match leaves eight dead
July 7 – Eight people have died, seven of them children, in a Malawi stampede on independence day ahead of a match between two local teams.