10-minute sinbins to debut in English grassroots leagues
May 5 – The English Football Association has agreed to trial rugby-style ‘sin bins’ in lower part-time leagues from next season.
Spurs launch new stadium showcase app using VR and AR technology
May 4 – Tottenham Hotspur have released their SPVRS app for iOS and Android devices that takes users on a tour of the club’s currently being constructed new stadium using Virtual and Augmented Reality technology.
AFC bites down on political banners with sanction for Evergrande
May 4 – China’s Guangzhou Evergrande have been fined US$22,500 and handed a suspended two-match stadium ban by the Asian Football Confederation after their fans unfurled a provocative banner in an Asian Champions League match describing Hong Kong’s independence movement as ‘poison’ and carrying the words: ‘Annihilate British Dogs’.
Man Utd add sixth date in Norway to packed pre-season match schedule
May 4 – No sooner had Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho bemoaned a packed fixture schedule as the club battle to close its season out with a Champions League qualifying place, than the club triumphantly announce a sixth pre-season friendly, against Norway’s Valerenga on July 30.
Judgement day looms for Ethics bosses as FIFA Council to debate their future
By Andrew Warshaw
May 3 – Will they be replaced or given another mandate? Amid growing speculation that FIFA’s ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert and chief investigator Cornel Borbely may not have their positions renewed at the upcoming FIFA Congress, confirmation has been made that the entire future of FIFA’s judicial bodies is up for discussion by the ruling Council that precedes the full session in Bahrain.
Brazil and Italy push for World Cup glory at Bahamas Beach Soccer finals
May 3 – With FIFA focus firmly on politics and scandal, you could be forgiven for missing the progress of the Beach Soccer Cup in the Bahamas which has now reached its quarter final stage.
Olympique Marseilles calls in McCann ad agency to rebrand club
May 3 – Olympique Marseilles has hired one of the world’s leading advertising and marketing agencies, McCANN France, to carry out a club rebranding, develop a communications strategy and lead the ticket marketing effort for the 2017-18 season.
Italy’s rampant football racism? Muntari banned over walk-off protest
By Andrew Warshaw
May 3 – How short-sighted can you get? Pescara’s former Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari has been banned for one game by the Italian FA for walking off the pitch complaining of racist abuse despite being praised by the United Nations’ top human rights official.
Blatter confused? Quinn Emanuel lawyers were not working for the US
May 3 – Sepp Blatter has not spoken in person to United States prosecutors in his native Switzerland despite his previous assertions to the contrary.
West Brom, Atalanta and Nice is where the smart money is, Sunderland are not so clever
May 3 – ‘Points mean prizes’ as the old gameshow catchphrase goes. In football’s version of the gameshow the phrase would more accurately be ‘money wins prizes’ according to the latest analysis of the CIES Football Observatory.
FIFA lifts ban on Mali after government reappoints old exco
May 3 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Mali’s suspension by FIFA has been lifted.
FIFA Ethics smells blood in Derrick case as politics and ‘justice’ look set to clash
By Paul Nicholson
May 2 – After an investigation taking more than a year, FIFA’s investigatory chamber has referred Gordon Derrick’s case to the adjudicatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics committee. The case is potentially one of the most controversial and politically laden decisions FIFA’s court will have had to make – though it has yet to rule against a single case from its investigators.
UEFA’s new human rights clause could stymie Turkey’s Euro 2024 bid
By Andrew Warshaw
May 2 – Turkey’s chances of ending years of disappointment by finally landing the European Championship finals in 2024 could be scuppered by a new human rights provision in UEFA’s hosting guidelines.
UN human rights chief praises Muntari but says FIFA needs rethink on racism
May 2 – The United Nations’ top human rights official has hailed Pescara’s Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari as an “inspiration” for walking off the pitch in protest after complaining about racist chanting.
Former Disney boss Eisner ready to sprinkle stardust on Pompey revival
By Paul Nicholson
May 2 – The story of Portsmouth Football Club has been more of a rollercoaster ride than a fairy tale in recent seasons. The club plummeted from the Premier League in 2010, sinking to Division 2 by 2014. During this time they went bust, changed owners and were rescued by fans. Now, despite a loyal and sizeable support, the club is struggling to keep its Fratton Park stadium open.