EURO2016 ticket demand tops 3.7m as fans dash for cheap seats
23 June – Tickets for EURO2016 are in hot demand. So far 3.7 million tickets have been requested, organisers have said.
Teixeira denies bribes but details vote swapping deal
June 22 – Former FIFA and Brazilian powerbroker Ricardo Teixeira has spoken openly for the first time about his role in the 2018 and 2022 bid process, describing claims that he took bribes as “nonsense.”
Blatter sticks to reform agenda with proposed exco change and integrity checks
By Andrew Warshaw
June 22 – Writing in the latest edition of FIFA magazine, president Sepp Blatter talks of the need to “strengthen democracy within the ‘FIFA government’.”
Houses, ranches and a luxurious lifestyle – how Leoz lined his pockets
June 22 – Increasing details are being leaked of the scale of the money laundering by South American confederation CONMEBOL’s former president Nicolás Leoz, who seamlessly moved millions from the confederation’s accounts to his personal accounts and business interests.
New Balance kicks on with new boots and Porto kit launch
June 22 – New Balance has continued its football expansion with the launch of the new 2015/16 FC Porto home kit as well as the global debut of the clothing company’s first football boots, the Visaro.
CSKA Sofia dumped to amateur leagues, but Bozhkov steps up with cash
By Alexander Krassimirov
June 22 – The saga over the future of the Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia has finally ended with the club suffering a similar the fate to that of Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers being relegated three divisions. CSKA will start next season in Bulgaria’s amateur leagues in the ‘A’ Regional group.
Man Utd crash through 100m social connections barrier
By Paul Nicholson
June 22 – Premier League social media giants Manchester United have broken yet another record, storming through the 100 million connections threshold when all accounts are aggregated.
Total West Ham stadium costs to exceed £700 million
By David Owen
June 20 – The cost of transforming a patch of run-down East London real estate into the beating heart of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and then a multi-use venue that will serve as football club West Ham United’s leased home is set to exceed £700 million.
Can the PL new boys slay the Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal twitter giants?
By Paul Nicholson
June 20 – Will the Premier League new boys have their work cut out in the Twitter rankings in the same way that they will have to battle for points for Premiership position, and most likely survival?
Private Swiss bank Julius Baer blocks accounts of FIFA bosses
By Paul Nicholson
June 19 – Zurich-based private bank Julius Baer is emerging as one of the key conduits for South American and US money in the FIFA corruption scandal. The bank has reacted by freezing the accounts of several football officials as well as blocking credit cards linked to those accounts.
Lee Wellings: Time for a woman to run FIFA?
In the world of smoke and mirrors, behind the spin and the secrecy, the lies and vested interests, the tangled webs of international diplomacy, or lack if it, the posturing, the blinkered views and denials, one thing is sure about the astonishing FIFA crisis and its large global ripples.
Gold Cup ticket sales break records as CONCACAF rebuilds
By Paul Nicholson
June 19 – Organisers of the 2015 Gold Cup to be played in the US starting July 7 are reporting ticket sales running at double the level of sales at the same for the 2013 championship. The news will be a relief for CONCACAF’s leaders as they battle to maintain confidence and the integrity of region’s showcase event for national teams.
Romanian federation secures Telekom as new lead sponsor
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
June 19 – Romania’s football federation FRF has inked a contract with local telecommunications company Telekom Romania which will become the main sponsor of the country’s national team.
Argentine suspects surrender in Buenos Aires vowing to fight extradition
By Mark Baber
June 19 – Hugo Jinkis and his son Mariano Jinkis, amongst the 14 current and former FIFA officials and corporate executives wanted by US prosecutors on charges of conspiracy to commit the offenses of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering, have surrendered to Argentine authorities, whilst pledging to fight extradition to the United States.
Sampdoria cleared to play in Europa League
By Mark Baber
June 19 – Despite concerns expressed in the Italian media that Sampdoria might be excluded from European competitions next season, the club has been included on UEFA’s list of participants for the 2015-16 competition.