Jose spends then passes the buck as Man Utd slump at Watford
September 19 – Here we go again. Jose Mourinho blaming everyone but himself when things don’t go according to plan.
Barca twice as exciting as Man City, and 14 times more watchable than Juve
September 19 – Real Madrid vs Sporting was the most exciting match of last week’s Champions League fixtures, almost twice as exciting as the second placed match – Legia Warsaw vs Dortmund – where the fans perhaps became a little overheated as Dortmund (with a strong Polish support in Germany), hammered the Polish champions 6-0.
PwC moves into FIFA audit hot-seat
By David Owen
September 17 – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have stepped into the hot-seat vacated by KPMG as statutory auditors of FIFA. The world football body announced that the Bureau of the FIFA Council had appointed PwC Switzerland to the role.
Infantino denies any UEFA lobbying and condemns ‘undermining’ of Russia and Mutko
By Andrew Warshaw
September 16 – Gianni Infantino, back in the comfort of his own patch after attending the UEFA presidential election in Athens where Aleksander Ceferin was elected in succession to Michel Platini, has dismissed as “imagination and lies” any idea that he lobbied behind the scenes in favour of the previously little-known Slovenian who critics claim Infantino was keen to control.
Barcelona chiefs drop into FIFA House to visit with President Infantino
By Paul Nicholson
September 16 – While UEFA’s executive committee were yesterday finding out that it was too late to change the new structure agreed for Champions League qualification that favours Europe’s big four leagues and their biggest clubs, a high level delegation from one of the biggest of those clubs, FC Barcelona, was meeting FIFA president Gianni Infantino at FIFA headquarters in Zurich.
Andrew Warshaw: ‘I know what you are thinking. Who the … is this guy?’
Minutes after chairing his first executive committee meeting as the seventh president in UEFA’s 62-year history, a suitably attired Aleksander Ceferin approached a lift on the lower ground floor at the luxury resort complex where the organisation’s top brass had been staying.
Gillette makes its first-ever club sponsorship deal with Barcelona
September 16 – Gillette has upgraded its regional sponsorship of FC Barcelona to become a global partner in a new three-year deal.
Lemke: Without Qatar 2022 migrant worker issues would not have been raised
By Andrew Warshaw
September 16 – The United Nations’ top sports expert believes the controversial treatment of migrant workers in Qatar may never have been highlighted globally had the 2022 World Cup not been handed to the Gulf state but still questions whether the tournament should be staged there.
Lai completes £175m takeover of West Brom. Will Pulis now get into line?
September 16 – Chinese businessman Guochuan Lai has completed his £175 million acquisition of West Bromwich Albion following the deal being approved by the Premier League this week.
Sky to launch German sports web channel focussed on video content
September 16 – German pay-TV sports network Sky Deutschland has announced it will add a new web channel that will focus on video content, skysport.de.
Special Cruyff Court opened in Rio for visually impaired
September 16 – With the Rio Paralympic Games in full swing, the Johan Cruyff Foundation has opened a Special Cruyff Court for blind and visually impaired people on the premises of Urece, an organisation that gives blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to play sports.
Fury as Champions League rules block attempts to stop clubs’ money grab
By Andrew Warshaw in Athens
September 15 – He said it would be his first priority as the voice of the disadvantaged. But UEFA’s new president, Alexander Ceferin, will almost certainly be unable to scrap controversial changes to the Champions League that have played into the hands of Europe’s most powerful clubs and infuriated major leagues who say they were not properly consulted.
Germans target 2024 betting on clean new image; Beckenbauer looks an odds-on loser
By Andrew Warshaw in Athens
September 15 – The new head of Germany’s football federation says the burgeoning 2006 World Cup scandal that has rocked the country’s image will not stop its pursuit of Euro 2024.
Christillin raises issue of clichéd lesbian ‘image’ but says focus must be on equality
By Andrew Warshaw in Athens
September 15 – Europe’s newly elected female representative on FIFA’s ruling council says she hopes to change opinions about women’s football – not least false perceptions about the sexuality of some of the players.
Man City buddy up with Chinese robot firm UBTECH
September 14 – This is real but the concept is a little surreal. Chinese firm UBTECH have become the first Official Robot Partner of Manchester City.