By Alexander Krassimirov
August 19 – FC Cherno More Varna, holder of the Bulgarian Cup and Supercup, has been handed a development grant of BGN 1 million (€500,000) from the state. The money will be used by club to improve the grass pitch at Ticha stadium and stadium lighting.
By Mark Baber
August 18 – One of the great anomalies in world football – FIFA’s tolerance of state control of football in China – looks to be coming to an end as the Chinese state publicly loosens its grip on the sport in a new reform drive announced on Monday.
By Paul Nicholson
August 18 – On an inspection visit of the construction of football facilities at the Somali University Stadium in Mogadishu, Somali minister for youth and sport, Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan (pictured centre), praised the growth of football and the importance of the development projects in the country.
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
August 18 – Empoli, one of the few Italian Serie A clubs that do not come from a provincial capital city, has unveiled €11 million redevelopment plans that include the expansion of its Stadio Carlo Castellani capacity from 16,800 up to 20,000.
By Samindra Kunti
August 18 – In December the FIFA’s Executive Committee’s approval to ban third-party ownership of player’s economic rights (TPO) sent shockwaves through Brazilian football due to the prevalence of third-party arrangements. The early effective date, January 2015, had investors and clubs taken aback, worried with the possible consequences of the new rule, but what effect has the ban had so far on the Brazilian market?
August 18 – Focus has turned to the Olympic 2016 qualifying in the CONCACAF region, which in 2012 in London took both Gold medals with Mexico taking the men’s title and the US winning the women’s with Canada taking the bronze.
By Ben Nicholson
August 18 – Newly awarded MLS franchise Minnesota United looks to have stumbled on its route to securing a stadium to begin play in the 2018 season, having missed an MLS July deadline to submit a state subsidy financial package, and with confusion over whether the team will play in Minneapolis or neighbouring St Paul.
By Ben Nicholson
August 17 – Lionel Messi recently donated 4.5million Argentine pesos, roughly $487,000, to UNICEF during an event called, ‘A Sun for the Kids.’
By Ben Nicholson
August 17 – Goldman Sachs looks set to serve as an underwriter for The New England Revolution’s desires for a soccer-specific stadium.
By Mark Baber
August 17 – As Indonesia celebrates its Independence Day, the government has intervened to set up two new competitions for lower league clubs, whilst La Nyalla Mahmud Mattalitti (pictured), the Chairman of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) which is currently suspended by FIFA, laments that football in his country has not yet gained its independence.
By Mark Baber
August 14 – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Football Federation (AFF) has set its sights on the ASEAN region jointly hosting the 2034 World Cup. Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pictured) has told local media that the 10 ASEAN nations who attended the ASEAN ministerial meeting on Sports in Kuala Lumpur have agreed to conduct a feasibility study.
By Samindra Kunti
August 14 – Back in April, at the tiny Jalan Besar stadium in hot and humid conditions, Harimau Muda ground out their first S.League win of the season against Young Lions, 1-0. From the stands Michel Sablon was watching on with much interest. The Belgian is a seasoned observer of the beautiful game. He had watched games from the USA to Indonesia, but this was his first acquaintance with Singaporean football.
By Alexander Krassimirov
August 13 – A Turkish police report described the attack against Fenerbahce and Turkey midfielder Mehmet Topal as an “accident” and not an attempted murder.
By Mark Baber
August 13 – The second leg of the historic cup final between Al-Ahly, the top team in the West Bank and Gaza’s champion Shejaia is back on after the Gazan team on Wednesday successfully crossed the Eretz border crossing into the West Bank.
August 13 – The English Football Association are investing an extra £60 million into the grassroots game over the next four years, bringing the total amount to £260 million.