Hublot decides timing is right for entry into UEFA club competitions
August 20 – UEFA has announced Hublot as its official licensed watch partner for the Champions League and Europa League in a three-season deal from 2015 to 2018.
Man Utd rolls dice again and comes up with Donaco
August 20 – English Premier League giants Manchester United are on a good run in the betting and gaming business, announcing Donaco as the club’s first Official Casino Resort Partner in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and South Korea.
FIFA reform: is it time to end ‘one man one vote’?
By Paul Nicholson
August 20 – There is a lot of talk about FIFA reform, but the talk is in general very short on detail. To date the focus has been on corruption and its prevention, with reform measures being focused around issues like age and term of tenure and ‘fit and proper’ person tests, financial governance and independent governors. Lurking below the surface of this talk is a much deeper issue – that of the one-man (it is usually a man) one-vote system.
Dr Laila Mintas: The Point-Voting-System – FIFA’s election system needs to be reformed
FIFA has been the subject of relentless criticism and not only since the recent scandals shook the entire football world. There is no doubt that FIFA needs to instigate many-faceted, major reforms of its administration, procedures and structure that will transform different areas of the Football Governing Body’s fundament in order to recapture its credibility and reputation. Up to now, such fundamental alterations have not been visible.
Watch the AFC U19 Women’s Championship LIVE and FREE on Insideworldfootball
The AFC U19 Women’s Championships have kicked off in Nanjing, China, with opening group wins for Japan, China and the Korean Republic. You can watch the matches live and free on Insideworldfootball at http://www.insideworldfootball.com/watch-live-football/17682-afc-u-19-women-s-championship
Turf wars: Soccer v Football in America’s back yard
By Mark Baber
August 19 – As the NFL inches gradually towards possibly setting up a franchise in the UK with the official support of the ruling Conservative Party, a set of data-points drawn together by Texas-based data specialists UMBEL give an insight into how soccer is rapidly becoming a mainstream sport in the USA.
Mud-slinging escalates with questions over Chung donations and ‘lack of respect’
By Mark Baber
August 19 – Former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon’s entry into the FIFA presidential race on Tuesday has quickly dispelled any notion the contenders may pull their punches. The South Korean accused rival Michel Platini of having been too close to a corrupt FIFA and president Sepp Blatter. Response to his comments has been swift.
US Club Soccer pushes for culture change with ‘Players First’ launch
By Paul Nicholson
August 19 – US Club Soccer, one of the largest and certainly most influential youth soccer organisations in the US with more than 500,000 members, has launched an amibitious ‘Players First’ initiative that will give its members a suite of tools to better manage their soccer experience.
Martin Volkmar: Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder – Germany has lost one of its football elders
Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, DFB president for many years and a member of the Executive Committee of FIFA and UEFA, passed away on Monday aged 82 years.
Sun sets on Roda JC’s new shirt sponsor, deepening club’s cash crisis
By Samindra Kunti
August 19 – Dutch club Roda JC’s financial woes have been aggravated by shirt sponsor Solland Solar filing for bankruptcy. The club is at least €1.3 million in debt.
Bulgarian state steps in with development cash in Varna
By Alexander Krassimirov
August 19 – FC Cherno More Varna, holder of the Bulgarian Cup and Supercup, has been handed a development grant of BGN 1 million (€500,000) from the state. The money will be used by club to improve the grass pitch at Ticha stadium and stadium lighting.
Juventus launch new app for new season as it continues digital drive
By Paul Nicholson
August 19 – Italian giants Juventus, current Serie A champions and the country’s club leaders in the digital world, having taken another step forward with the launch of a new app for the new season that opens this weekend.
Spurs, Swansea and West Ham top PL chart with 99% sellouts
August 18 – The second weekend of the Premier League season saw an average capacity at Premier League grounds of almost 96%, just over 1% down on the opening day of the season, mainly due to lower attendances at Sunderland.