Have Argentina Mess(i’d) up? 2018 World Cup qualification on the brink
October 6 – The unthinkable – no Lionel Messi or Argentina at the World Cup – is seriously close to become a reality.
Le Graët tickled pink with new Orange deal for national teams
October 6 – The French Football Federation (FFF) has upgraded its deal with Orange who become a major sponsor of the national mens and womens teams in a four-year deal staring in 2018.
Free Tibet launch campaign against Tibet Water Resources deal with Liverpool
By Mark Baber
October 6 – Free Tibet have launched a campaign to press Liverpool FC to terminate a controversial sponsorship deal signed with Chinese water bottling company Tibet Water Resources Limited.
Wembley woe: Glenn said England had ‘mental frailty’, but didn’t he mean ‘marketing’
October 6 – England may have qualified for next year’s World Cup finals but that should fool no-one and their chances of success are next to nil judging by reaction to the last-gasp win over Slovakia that sealed their place in Russia.
US Soccer switches on Hisense for World Cup push
October 6 – Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer Hisense has continued its global sponsorship expansion into football becoming the Official TV and Appliance Manufacturer of the US national teams in a deal that will take them through the 2018 World Cup in Russuia, 2019 Women’s World Cup, as well as including the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, and U. male and female youth teams.
Patel bangs the drum for India on eve of U-17 World Cup kick off
By Samindra Kunti
October 6 – The All India Football Federation president Praful Patel (pictured) will roll out his master plan for Indian football to the FIFA Council at the end of the month in aim to underpin his bid for the U-20 World Cup. He has also expressed interest in bringing the Asian Cup to India.
Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay governments confirm bid for 2030 Centennial World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
October 5 – Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay have launched a three-nation bid to host the 2030 World Cup, the event’s centenary tournament.
Sorrell predicts more growth for sports rights, but more accountability too
By Paul Nicholson
October 5 – The value of broadcast rights will continue to rise driven by demand for premium content and spending power of the five digital giants from the US – Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft – and China’s Alibaba and Tencent, said Martin Sorrell, CEO of ad agency WPP.
Ashley calling the Toon? Is Newcastle United ownership heading east?
October 5 – The financial rumour mill is again buzzing with talk that Mike Ashley could at last find a buyer at a price he would accept for Premier League Newcastle United.
Americas 2026 World Cup chiefs cut host bids to 32 cities on route to final 12
October 5 – The list of potential host cities for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been further trimmed, this time to 32.
FIFA fines are just chump change in the battle against racism, says FARE
October 5 – FIFA must do more to combat the increasing incidents of homophobic chanting according to European football’s anti-discriminatory body FARE.
Big vs Little: Premier League clubs agree to keep foreign TV cash share-out balanced
October 5 – English Premier League clubs have rejected a proposal to end equal distribution of overseas TV money and replace it with handing a greater share to those who finish highest in the table.
FIFA fill final three sponsor slots for India U17 World Cup two days before kick-off
By Samindra Kunti in Delhi
October 4 – NTPC, Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited and Byju’s have completed the roster for the six national sponsorship slots for the U-17 World Cup in India, FIFA announced.
How Catalonian independence might hit Barça in the pocket
It was interesting to read my colleague Andrew Warshaw’s piece this week recounting Catalán sports minister Gerard Figueras’s thoughts on where the region’s top football clubs might play should the region achieve independence.
Spain readies for World Cup qualifier with team backing Catalan Piquet
October 4 – Spain’s players say they are focused solely on Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Albania and that they are getting tired of being asked about teammate Gerard Pique’s outspoken stance on the independence referendum in Catalonia.