Brazilian proposes a 7-1 ‘Goal to Germany’ pain day
August 5 – A Brazilian council official is proposing creating a ‘Goal to Germany’ day every July to make the national team remember their humiliating 7-1 World Cup defeat last year.
South America
President Dilma may veto new Brazilian club debt proposals
By Samindra Kunti
August 5 – Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff (pictured) may veto medida provisoria 671 that will allow for the refinancing of Brazilians clubs’s debts, but implements new rules for better management and more transparency.
Ronaldinho debuts with on-pitch assist and a big marketing boost
By Samindra Kunti
August 3 – Ronaldinho Gaucho marked his winning return to Brazilian football at the weekend with an assist against Gremio. He has a contract with Fluminense until December 2016, but did the Rio club just sign him for marketing reasons?
Paraguay to put Platini forward for FIFA presidency
By Andrew Warshaw
August 3 – Paraguay has offered to be one of the five official nominees for UEFA boss Michel Platini’s bid for the FIFA presidency, the country’s federation said in a letter sent to FIFA.
CONMEBOL passes reform measures to clean-up South American deal-making
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – As FIFA prepares to put in place a raft of reforms designed to clean up the organisation in the post-Sepp Blatter era, the South American Confederation (CONMEBOL) has struck first by introducing almost identical measures.
Mexican counter-punch knocks Herrera out of coaching job
July 28 – Managers normally get fired for being knocked out of tournaments early but within a few of days of winning the Gold Cup, Miguel Herrera has been sacked as national coach of Mexico for punching a journalist.
Who really owns Neymar? Now DIS claim they have been ‘cheated’
By Ricardo Setyon
July 21 – The on-going saga of Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona and who actually ‘owns’ Neymar has taken another twist with one of the third party owners, an investment group from Brazil, claiming they have been cheated by Neymar’s father and Barcelona.
Russia 2018 without Brazil? CBF to form ‘think-tank’ to put team right
By Ricardo Setyon
July 17 – Brazil’s failure and early exit from the Copa America has prompted even more soul searching in-country, with commentators fearing that on current performance the team will not qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. A real possibility as their quarter final exit in Chile would not rank them in the qualifying slots.
CBF hooked on 30-year drug sponsorship deal
By Samindra Kunti
July 17 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has signed a 30-year sponsorship deal with Ultrafarma, a pharmaceutical service provider with a large network of drugstores.
Double dealing: Cajá quits Brasilierao and signs for two Emirati clubs
By Ricardo Setyon
July 15 – With the Brazilian National League now a quarter way into its season, two clubs and one man have surprised everyone. Recife from the north east of the country, and Ponta Prete from Campinas, 120km from Sao Paulo, are upsetting the accepted club hierarchy with a series of unexpected results.
Brazilian stadium success: Mineirão is a hit with Atletico fans
By Samindra Kunti
July 13 – The new Mineirão stadium is proving to be a hit with Atletico Mineiro fans. The club has recorded an average attendance of 49,175 at the ground so far this season, beating average Premier League and Bundesliga attendances.
The show goes on…Full Play negotiate for Bra vs Arg in … USA
By Samindra Kunti
July 3 – The Brazilian Football Confederation CBF is negotiating a deal to stage a Brazil vs Argentina friendly in the autumn in San Francisco with Full Play, one of the companies indicted by US authorities for bribing former CBF president José Maria Marin in relation to the 2016 Copa America.
Del Nero property portfolio raises Brazilian eyebrows
By Samindra Kunti
June 29 – Marco Polo Del Nero’s real estate assets have grown 175% since joining the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) in 2012 as vice-president, according to Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo. It has increased speculation and suspicion around Del Nero, the current CBF president, about management of the federation and its finances.
Houses, ranches and a luxurious lifestyle – how Leoz lined his pockets
June 22 – Increasing details are being leaked of the scale of the money laundering by South American confederation CONMEBOL’s former president Nicolás Leoz, who seamlessly moved millions from the confederation’s accounts to his personal accounts and business interests.
Argentine suspects surrender in Buenos Aires vowing to fight extradition
By Mark Baber
June 19 – Hugo Jinkis and his son Mariano Jinkis, amongst the 14 current and former FIFA officials and corporate executives wanted by US prosecutors on charges of conspiracy to commit the offenses of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering, have surrendered to Argentine authorities, whilst pledging to fight extradition to the United States.