Ghana ready to settle $3m World Cup loan cash
By Paul Nicholson
January 2 – The Ghana FA (GFA) has repeated that it will be able to pay the $3.1 million money borrowed from the government once an official request for the funds is made.
World Football
Women’s BeNe League to close as Dutch and Belgians rethink strategy
By Samindra Kunti
January 2 – The KNVB and the KBVB, the Dutch and Belgian FA’s respectively, will redesign their professional women’s league after a joint-decision to end the BeNe League due to insufficient financial resources in the Netherlands.
Miami offers Beckham temporary stadium in bid to be ‘world class’
December 30 – David Beckham’s prospective MLS franchise in Miami has stalled ever since the city batted down several stadium proposals. Beckham’s group has been quietly licking its wounds over the past months while other US cities have been loudly courting the MLS in hope of receiving an expansion bid.
Japanese players unite behind coach Aguirre as they prep for Aussie mission
December 30 – Japanese players have leapt to the defence of head coach Javier Aguirre after the Mexican vehemently denied any involvement in a match-fixing scandal during the time he worked in Spain.
North Korea dumps Yun and appoints Jo as it heads to Asian Cup
December 30 – North Korea is reported to have replaced suspended head coach Yun Jong-su with his predecessor Jo Tong-sop (pictured) for next month’s Asian Cup in Australia.
Scotland’s Hibs open up club ownership to fans with share offer for 51%
By Paul Nicholson
December 30 – Scottish Championship club Hibernian is giving the opportunity to its fans to become 51% owners with a new share issue. The club also announced that as part of the restructuring it is now free of bank debt.
Levski fans’ Trust wins seat on board and now wants the CEO’s job
By Alexander Krassimirov
December 30 – The Supporters Trust of Bulgarian club Levski, ‘Blue Bulgaria’, has called for their representative on the club’s Board to be appointed as CEO. The demand has not been dismissed by Levski owner Todor Batkov but early indications are that he will not make a management change.
Wambach and Navas top CONCACAF 2014 Awards roster
December 29 – CONCACAF has announced its 2014 annual awards winners with inspirational Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas and US goalscorer Abby Wambach winning the vote for the Male and Female Players of the Year.
Platini gets clear run at 3rd UEFA term and puts ‘white’ cards on the agenda
By Andrew Warshaw
December 29 – The deadline for rival candidates may have passed with little fanfare because of the Christmas holiday period but it is now clear that UEFA president Michel Platini, as expected, will run unopposed for re-election when his term expires at the UEFA Congress in Vienna at the end of March.
Aguirre says he is innocent of match-fixing as attention turns to Asian Cup
December 29 – Japan’s national team coach Javier Aguirre has broken his silence over allegations of match-fixing when he worked in Spain with a passionate defence of his conduct and reputation.
Jailed Vietnamese match-fixers banned for life from playing
December 29 – Vietnamese football authorities have imposed their latest crackdown on match-fixing, banning nine players for life for rigging an Asian club game.
Houston change manager and USL partner for a different dynamic
December 29 – Houston Dynamo, of the MLS, has changed its game face with two big announcements in the run in to Christmas. Firstly, they secured Owen Coyle’s services as Head Coach. Secondly, they have switched USL affiliates.
Omani Sultan poised to take over Belgian top tier club
By Samindra Kunti
December 29 – The Sultanate of Oman is set to become a majority shareholder in Belgian Jupiler Pro League club Mouscron-Peruwelz. As a result, French club Lille OSC will end its partnership with the Belgian club.
Niersbach outlines 10-year plan for German football
By Mark Baber
December 23 – Nothing succeeds like success and German Football Association (DFB) president, Wolfgang Niersbach has channeled the sense of triumph following his countries World Cup triumph, laying out an “ambitious” 10-year plan to keep Germany at the centre of world football.
Czech Hradec Kralove earmarks €9m for stadium revamp
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
December 23 – FC Hradec Kralove has unveiled plans to spend CZK 246 million (€9m) on modernising its stadium. The Czech club aims to launch the upgrade of the sports facility in 2016.