London awaits as World Football Cup draw takes place in Northern Cyprus
By David Owen
January 15 – The draw has been completed for the 2018 World Football Cup, to be staged in London between May 31 and June 9.
Nicaragua’s Rocha dies in US before sentencing in FIFAGate case
January 15 – Two months after being banned for life, one of the highest profile figures in the FIFAGate corruption scandal, former Nicaragua Football Federation chief Julio Rocha has died after battling with cancer.
Montagliani turns to twitter to clean up Trump’s shit storm
January 15 – CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani has wasted no time moving into trouble-shooting mode in the wake of Donald Trump’s “shithole” slur that will do little to find favour among FIFA’s federations as the bid for the 2026 World Cup enters a key phase.
Nike tops ‘influential brand’ ranking in China. Basketball beats football
January 15 – Nike is the most influential sports brand in China, followed by the Chinese Basketball league and football’s Chinese Super league in third position. Sports leisure brands Adidas and New Balance occupy fourth and fifth positions.
Wales turn to Giggs to lead national team, again
January 15 – Former Manchester United and Wales star Ryan Giggs has been appointed manager of his national team on a four-year contract in succession to Chris Coleman.
AFC Champions League contenders set to kick-off chasing glory and record prize money
January 15 – The AFC Champions League kicks off its 2018 competition tomorrow with the first of the Preliminary Stage 1 qualifiers seeing teams chase the highest prize money ever in the history of the competition that has become one of the richest continental club competitions in world football.
James Dostoyevsky: A Saudi welcome for a world leader…
If there ever was a snub, then it is this one: Transparencist-in-Chief and FIFA-Almighty Gianni, The Infantino, made a trip recently to see how his flock are faring in the timid December heat of the Middle East. It was a fine trip, with lovely meals, lovely people everywhere and lovely sights to see (sic!).
Morocco staff up for 2026 World Cup bid, its fifth time of asking
January 12 – Morocco’s Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, has been appointed head of the country’s Bid Committee for the 2026 World Cup.
French league suspends goal-line technology after failures cross the reliability line
January 12 – The French football league (LFP) has suspended the use of goal-line technology due to a series of errors.
Liverpool face new wave of criticism over sponsor deal with China’s Tibet Water
January 12 – Pro-Tibetan sympathisers are planning to stage a protest ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City on Sunday against a sponsorship deal struck last year.
Ladbrokes set to extend SPFL deal. Betting on Rangers relegation suspended
January 12 – While betting company sponsorship of clubs and gambling advertising targeted at football fans on mainstream media in England has come under increasing regulatory focus in England, in Scotland there appear to be fewer concerns.
NFL and Spurs line-up Raiders and Seahawks for October debut in new stadium
January 12 – The rapidly growing partnership between the NFL and UK fans of the sport breaks new ground later this year when Tottenham Hotspur’s new 61,000-seat stadium hosts an NFL fixture for the first time when the Seattle Seahawks play the Oakland Raiders on October 14.
CAF takes control of ref payments in battle against match-fixing
January 12 – Referees in African international matches are to be paid directly by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead of national associations in the wake of Ghanaian official Joseph Lamptey’s (pictured) life ban for match-fixing.
Neymar Experience app targets 2 million downloads at launch
January 12 – Brazilian superstar Neymar has announced the launch of his own app – Neymar Experience – in partnership with mobile technology company Digible.
Everton get by with a little help from their friends as stadium costs predicted to hit £500m
January 12 – Everton have set a 2022 target for taking occupancy of their new waterfront stadium at Bramley Moore Dock in Liverpool, at the same time that estimated costs have been acknowledged as having risen from an initial estimate of £300 million to £500 million.