Liverpool adds Marathonbet who open with 10/1 for Reds to make top 4
July 20 – Premier League Liverpool have added Marathonbet as one of its suite of betting partners that currently includes 188BET and Comeon.
US leaks Warner case as it readies to file extradition request
By Mark Baber
July 20 – In yet another apparent leak from inside the US Department of Justice investigation into FIFA corruption, the Trinidad Sunday Express has published details of the evidence against Jack Warner provided by “a US law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation” who says the statement of case against Warner is now complete and the formal “record of case” will arrive in Trinidad by Wednesday.
Belgian clubs hit by new violence but league denies it’s on rise
By Samindra Kunti
July 20 – Football-related violence and hooliganism is back on the rise in Belgian football, according to statistics released by the Belgian interior ministry. The Pro League vehemently debunks such an assertion.
Barcelona: Big win for Josep Bartomeu and Qatar
By Mark Baber
July 20 – Josep Maria Bartomeu won the backing of 54.63% of Barcelona members voting in the club’s presidential election, decisively beating former president Joan Laporta who received only 33.03% of the votes.
Polish to limit number of non-EU footballers in top two tiers
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
July 20 – Poland’s football federation PZPN has passed draft regulation under which sides competing in the country’s top tier Ekstraklasa will be allowed a maximum of three players from outside of the EU on the pitch at one time. In the 2016/2017 season, this will be further decreased to two players per team.
Has Platini got what it takes? Rumours grow that 4 confeds will back him
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
July 20 – The prospect of Michel Platini becoming the new FIFA president has taken a potentially decisive turn with the suggestion that four of FIFA’s six confederations would like him to stand.
Anelka buys Belgian club Ath as he moves towards coaching
By Samindra Kunti
July 20 – In a surprise move former France international Nicolas Anelka has bought Ath, a Belgian fourth division club on the brink of extinction.
Webb pleads not guilty to corruption charges in Brooklyn court
By Paul Nicholson
July 20 – Jeffrey Webb, the former CONCACAF president and FIFA vice president arrested with six others in Zurich at the end of May, pleaded not guilty on Saturday to charges that he had solicited bribes in return for the award of marketing rights to CONCACAF football properties.
MLS players agree wage rises through to 2019
By Ben Nicholson
July 20 – MLS players have overwhelmingly ratified the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) through 2019 with a 91% vote in favor, putting behind them the disagreements over the terms that threatened to delay the start of the 2015 season.
Coke and McDonald’s demand reform for a healthier FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – As FIFA’s executive committee gather in Zurich to discuss dates for the presidential election, Coca-Cola have called on football’s world governing body to reform itself and bring in independent specialists to oversee its future conduct and help restore trust.
FIFA chiefs head for Zurich for crucial presidential powwow
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
July 20 – Just under two months after the bombshell that fell on FIFA, its top brass on Monday choose a date to replace Sepp Blatter as president – and also to finally discuss concrete reform ideas which the veteran Swiss is determined to help firm up before he steps down.
Iranian football at a crossroads as sanctions due to be lifted
By Mark Baber
July 17 – With Iran, the US, Europe and Russia having reached an historic settlement of the nuclear issue the lifting of economic sanctions and the reintegration of the Islamic Republic into the global economy is likely to transform the fortunes of Iranian football, one way or another.
Russia 2018 without Brazil? CBF to form ‘think-tank’ to put team right
By Ricardo Setyon
July 17 – Brazil’s failure and early exit from the Copa America has prompted even more soul searching in-country, with commentators fearing that on current performance the team will not qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. A real possibility as their quarter final exit in Chile would not rank them in the qualifying slots.
FIFA turns to ‘connected’ US trouble-shooters for crisis help
July 17 – Just weeks after parting company with communications chief Walter de Gregorio, FIFA has hired renowned New York-based communications and trouble-shooting firm, Teneo, to try and improve its damaged image in the wake of the two ongoing criminal investigations into the conduct of its officials.
CBF hooked on 30-year drug sponsorship deal
By Samindra Kunti
July 17 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has signed a 30-year sponsorship deal with Ultrafarma, a pharmaceutical service provider with a large network of drugstores.