No plans to play ‘festive’ 2016 Euros behind closed doors
March 24 – UEFA have insisted there are no plans to play matches at Euro 2016 behind closed doors because of the threat of terrorism.
Danish win as video gamers battle for FIFA Interactive World Cup title in New York
March 24 – Any Americans still smarting from the loss of the 2022 World Cup hosting to Qatar can take solace in the fact that they are still in the international football picture after having hosted the finals of the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) in New York.
The 2016 Grand Final, the twelfth edition of the tournament, was played out for the first time in New York City at the Apollo Theater .
Greek refusal to back down puts them on collision course with FIFA and UEFA
By Andrew Warshaw
March 24 – Greek football authorities are digging in their heels and refusing to budge despite receiving a letter signed jointly by FIFA and UEFA urging them to reinstate the national cup competition, scrapped by the government earlier this month because of crowd trouble, or risk being thrown out of international football.
CFU kicks off Caribbean Cup with new format and new bank sponsor
March 24 – The Caribbean Cup 2016 kicked off this week with a new format and a new title sponsor in the form of Scotiabank. Cuba, Grenada and Guyana all won their opening games as seven groups begin play to qualify 15 teams for the next round.
Labour group says Qatar reforms have progressed but ‘challenges’ still need work
March 24 – The International Labour Organisation (ILO), one of the oldest established United Nations agencies with 186 member states, says Qatar is making progress toward ending forced labour and improving conditions for migrant workers but that the real test will be whether it actually enforces new legislation by an ILO-imposed December deadline.
Liverpool renews with Carlsberg for another three years
March 24 – Carlsberg have extended the longest running commercial partnership in English Premier League football with a three-year addition to their current 24-year long deal with Liverpool.
Guardiola vs Mourinho in Beijing? Man Utd and Man City head to China for ICC summer clash
March 23 – Beijing, China, is set to host the first Manchester derby with City’s new manager Pep Guardiola in charge and, if rumours are correct, Jose Mourinho having taken over as United’s new manager.
Crash and burn: Does this FIFA investigation signal the end for Beckenbauer?
By Andrew Warshaw
March 23 – He may have retired from the international arena as a prominent FIFA member and consistently distanced himself from all manner of allegations about behind-the-scenes wheeler-dealing but is the net finally closing in on the previously untouchable Franz Beckenbauer?
UEFA defiant that Euro 2016 will be safe and not derailed by terrorist threat
By Andrew Warshaw
March 23 – As next summer’s expanded European Championship finals in France come under increasing scrutiny because of the threat of terrorism, UEFA have been quick to express assurances about safety and security in the wake of Tuesday’s Brussels attacks that killed at least 34 people and left scores more injured, with one high-ranking UEFA official suggesting matches might even have to be held behind closed doors.
Takkas extradited to US leaving Rocha as last man imprisoned in Zurich
March 23 – And then there was one. Costas Takkas, close associate of disgraced ex-CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges that he participated in bribery schemes under the widespread the-US led football corruption investigation.
DFB prepares for future with new chief and a price hike for Euros tickets
By Andrew Warshaw
March 23 – German football has a new general secretary as it endeavours to tackle the fallout from the 2006 World Cup corruption controversy.
Liverpool, Chelsea, Barca, Real, PSG and Bayern sign on for US summer match-ups
By Paul Nicholson
March 23 – Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris St Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea will all compete this summer in the US-organised International Champions Cup (ICC), but not all games will be played in the US.
High flying Antwerp hit with €4.9m payout ruling to former chairman
By Samindra Kunti
March 23 -The arbitration committee of the Belgian FA, the KBVB, has decided that Royal Antwerp FC must repay €4.9 million to its former chairman Eddy Wauters. The verdict leaves Antwerp gasping for air.
FIFA opens formal probe into Germany 2006 World Cup bid win
By Paul Nicholson
March 22 – Following on from the report by law firm Freshfields into the German 2006 World Cup bid process, FIFA has opened its own investigation into six individuals over potential vote buying and failure to report a breach of the FIFA ethics code.
Now Man Utd join the Chinese revolution with 2016 summer tour plans
March 22 – The promise of the east has lured the might of Manchester United to make their 2016 pre-season tour to China for two games this summer.