Kashima to stage Olympic football in 2020
By David Owen
July 11 – The city of Kashima was endorsed as a Tokyo 2020 football venue at Monday’s meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board.
Mexico kick off Gold Cup defence with a bang but Osorio ban leaves him watching from the stands
July 10 – Mexico, hard on the heels of their Confederations Cup semi-final and third place play-off appearances in Russia earlier this month, have opened their CONCACAF Gold Cup defence in the US with a resounding 3-1 win against El Salvador.
Morocco keeps up outreach strategy with Zambian development deal
By Mark Baber
July 10 -The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has signed a two-year cooperation agreement with the Royal Football Federation of Morocco (FRM) which will see the two associations partner in football development.
McDonald’s adds to FIFA sponsor concerns with rumours it is going cold on Russia 2018
July 10 – With the World Cup in Russia less than a year away, one of FIFA’s top front-line sponsors, McDonald’s, have been in discussions about a possible withdrawal due to ethical concerns.
Ajax’s Nouri is out of danger after heart attack in Werder Bremen friendly
July 10 – Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri is “out of danger” but remains in intensive care after collapsing during a pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen, the latest case highlighting the dangers of cardiac arrest amongst professional footballers.
Storm after the calm. Deal falls apart as FIFA suspend Sudan for government meddling
July 10 – FIFA has suspended the Sudan Football Association (SFA) with immediate effect after the government refused to reinstate FIFA-recognised SFA president Dr Mutasim Gaafar ahead of the Sudan Ministry of Justice recognised General Abdel Rahman Sir Elkatim.
Spurs deny unfriendly £1bn talkeover deal with Facebook boss Zuckerberg
July 10 – English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur have denied they are in takeover talks following British media reports of a potential £1 billion deal backed by Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg.
India stokes local sponsorship sales for U17 World Cup with Coal India deal
July 10 – It may not be a message for environmental sustainability, but it will help FIFA’s financial sustainability. Coal India has signed up as the third National Supporter for the U-17 World Cup by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
Bangladesh keep focus on grassroots as part of AFC development push
July 10 – India may be taking the lead over its neighbours in terms of big tournament organisation with the FIFA U-17 World Cup this October, but the Asian Football Confederation is rolling out its development programmes throughout the region with the Bangladesh Football Federation’s AFC Grassoots Football Day being reported as a resounding success.
Fourth time unlucky. Swiss court adds its weight to rulings against Platini
By Andrew Warshaw
July 7 – If circumstances had panned out differently, Michel Platini could now be running FIFA. Instead, the three-time European Footballer of the Year, who rose to become UEFA president, is now well and truly yesterday’s man after his final appeal against his four-year ban for financial wrongdoing was thrown out by Switzerland’s supreme court.
Australia given November deadline to get its house in order or risk a FIFA take over
By Mark Baber
July 7 – The dispute between Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Australia’s A-League clubs over the composition of the FFA Congress needs to be resolved by November 30 or FIFA may impose a “normalisation committee” to push through changes.
‘A World Cup for the entire Middle East’
How many times have we heard Hassan al-Thawadi, the public face of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, utter those words when talking about the Gulf state staging football’s showpiece tournament?
Rangers case opens door to taxman to chase players across UK for unpaid dues
July 7 – This week’s Supreme Court ruling against Rangers football club could have a damaging knock-on effect, say experts, with scores of other clubs and players – Scottish and English – potentially forced to hand over millions of pounds of unpaid tax.
USA, Canada, Mexico form 2026 World Cup bid board
By Paul Nicholson
July 7 – USA, Canada and Mexico have officially formed a United Bid Committee for their joint pitch to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the deadline for the submission of the formal bid to FIFA being 16 March 2018, the Bid Committee will begin discussion with potential host cities and stakeholders immediately.
ICSS gets ARMED for the sport security battles to come
July 7 – The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) is developing predictive software technology for use in securing future major sports events. Combined with the use of smart data systems, the software is targeted to be used as part of big event safety and security planning.