UEFA wait for Platini but could still have a new leader by Euros
By Andrew Warshaw
March 4 – UEFA could elect a new president just before the start of the European Championship finals in June if Michel Platini fails to clear his name.
Germany 2006: No obvious vote buying but money flows pose tough questions
By Paul Nicholson
March 4 – The investigation by law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer into the corruption allegations around the 2006 World Cup has found that there is no clear evidence of vote-buying but does not rule out the possibility.
Tax and fraud investigators swoop on Belgian FA
By Samindra Kunti
March 4 – Local law enforcement authorities are investigating possible tax evasion and a conflict of interests at the Belgian FA KBVB. The torrent of allegations of financial mismanagement may make the position of KBVB president François De Keersmaecker (pictured) untenable.
Perfect marriage. Nike and Barcelona close in on €100m per year deal
By Mark Baber
March 4 – US sportswear giant Nike is reportedly prepared to offer Barcelona €85 million a year, plus bonuses bringing the total up to €100 million to extend the current sponsorship contract which expires in 2018.
Liverpool’s 2010 financial carnage was not helped by poor players, hears NY court
By Paul Nicholson
March 4 – The five-year long New York court case following the sale of Liverpool Football Club to Fenway Sports Group revealed this week former owner George Gillett Jr is still paying £125,000 a month in debt repayments for a loan secured against the club, and that the new owners felt that due to the aging playing squad the £295 million price was in fact an overpayment for the asset.
Atletico Madrid and Club Brugges join Future Champions tournament line-up in Gauteng
By Paul Nicholson
March 4 – The team line-up for one of the most prestigious U17 club tournaments in the world is almost complete with the addition of Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge to the 2016 Future Champions Gauteng International Tournament that takes place March 14-21.
Chastain to donate brain for concussion research
March 4 – US soccer icon Brandi Chastain, whose penalty won the women’s World Cup against China in 1999, has agreed to donate her brain for research into concussion.
Olympiakos again; Abandoned cup match sees government suspend competition
By Andrew Warshaw
March 4 – Greek football has been plunged into yet more disgrace after the government cancelled the domestic cup competition when the first leg of the semi-final between PAOK Salonika and Olympiakos Piraeus was abandoned due to crowd trouble.
Fox to mic-up coaches during MLS live broadcasts
By Ben Nicholson
March 4 – En route to becoming a leading world soccer league, the MLS is innovating by placing microphones on coaches during nationally televised TV games so that viewers can hear the words coming from the horse’s mouth.
IMG to take Chinese Super League to the world
By Paul Nicholson
March 3 – While international interest in China has generally been inward looking with big name players from Europe making big money transfers to Chinese clubs, the Chinese Super League (CSL) itself is also looking outward and has appointed IMG as the exclusive sales agent for its global TV rights outside of China.
Coke, Sprint and State Farm join Nike for Copa America Centenario in the US
By Samindra Kunti
March 3 – This summer’s centennial Copa America tournament in the US, the first time CONMEBOL has held the tournament outside South America and which will feature six teams from CONCACAF, has signed three high profile sponsor partners in Coca-Cola, Sprint and State Farm.
Jimenez bailed for $4m as plea bargain process begins
March 3 – The former president of the Guatemalan FA, Brayan Jimenez, pleaded not guilty and was released on $1.5 million bail Wednesday 24 hours after being extradited to the United States to faces charges for his alleged role in football’s global corruption scandal.
ITV looks to Euro 2016 to boost flat advertising performance
By Mark Baber
March 3 – UK broadcaster ITV is banking on the Euro 2016 Tournament in France to boost its ad revenues after a flat performance in the first quarter.
Match-fixing suspicions grow in Belgium as second game is identified
By Samindra Kunti
March 3 – A Belgian top-flight match between KV Oostende vs Waasland-Beveren has been identified in a German TV documentary as showing signs of betting related match-fixing. The new revelations cast what is becoming a growing shadow over Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League.
Leaderless UEFA needs Platini to step aside, says Germany’s Rauball
By Andrew Warshaw
March 3 – Michel Platini should throw in the towel and step down as UEFA president as soon as possible in order to avoid a leadership vacuum, according to the boss of the German FA.