By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 20 – Will the real Super Mario please stand up. That is the clarion cry among German fans ahead of the misfiring world champions’ final Euro 2016 group game against Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland here Tuesday.
June 20 – The Welsh dragon will need to be at its fiery best to beat the Russians to a qualifying spot, and it hopefully will not ignite Russian fans. England can afford to be a little more sedate against Slovakia but that might not be a smart move.
June 18 – Belgium vs Republic of Ireland – Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne both missed training earlier this week but are expected to play. Romelu Lukaku’s place as Belgium’s lone forward is most under threat should coach Marc Wilmots decide to make changes from the side beaten by Italy.
By Paul Nicholson
June 17 – The USA became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Copa America Centenario with a 2-1 win over Ecuador in Seattle.
June 17 – When Turkey take on Spain today looking for salvation in their attempt to remain at Euro 2016, arguably the country’s biggest ever footballing star was on trial in absentia in an Istanbul court on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on social media.
June 16 – CONCACAF have boosted their prize money fund for their top tier Champions League club competition to $1.2 million for the 2016/17 season. They have also committed to supporting club travel costs in the early tournament stages.
By Samindra Kunti
June 16 – Brazil have wasted no time in sacking their coach Carlos Dunga after their shock exit from the Copa America Centenario being played in the US. Corinthians coach Tite has become the frontrunner to succeed Dunga. But in a federation haunted by endless allegations of corruption, at the top of the CBF pyramid there will be no change.
June 15 – While the Euro 16 Championship in France go into their second round of group matches tonight, the Copa America Centenario in the US closed out group play with an emphatic 3-0 win for Argentina over Boliva.
June 15 – Big tournaments generate big money – from marketing and broadcast rights fees, tickets and merchandising. And for the host country there is a measurable economic impact for its cities as well as the enhanced profile for the country as a destination.
By Paul Nicholson
June 14 – USA, Mexico, Peru and Argentina head the qualifiers for the next round of the Copa America Centenario tournament in the US, while dramatically, Brazil have crashed out after a controversial refereeing decision ruined their week.
By Paul Nicholson
June 14 – The dispute in Spain over how much tax was payable on the transfer of Neymar from Santos in Brazil to FC Barcelona in 2013 appears to have been resolved with the club agreeing to pay a €5.5 million fine.
By Paul Nicholson
June 10 – A fresh row has broken out in the Caribbean over what is being interpreted by national associations as back-door interference in the region’s affairs by regional confederation CONCACAF. The moves further undermine the management of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and its executive at a time when it has already seen its power base at the region’s top political table eroded and its membership split and marginalised.
June 10 – Kosovo and Gibraltar, both accepted into the FIFA fold last month, have as expected been fast-tracked into the 2018 World Cup qualifying programme that kicks off in September.
June 9 – Momentum is gathering behind Slovenian FA president Aleksander Čeferin in his bid to become president of UEFA. The Estonian FA have announced that they would support his candidacy. Čeferin has still to admit his official nomination but that now only looks to be a formality.
By Paul Nicholson
June 8 – The race for the UEFA presidency looks certain to have a new candidate with Slovenian FA president Aleksander Čeferin expected to submit his nomination within the next 48 hours.