Much has been made of the appointment of a veteran of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Salt Lake City crisis to chair the new body charged with drafting a package of reform proposals far-reaching enough to salvage FIFA’s battered reputation.
By Mark Baber
August 14 – Emirates announced Thursday that it has signed a three-year deal with the UAE’s domestic league – officially known as the ‘Arabian Gulf League’ – as its Official Partner and Airline, in a move which risks exacerbating tensions with Iran.
By Ricardo Setyon
August 14 – Having spent Father’s Day with his family, Zico is now in Goa, India, relaxing in a top 5-star hotel but plotting a dual course – his Goa FC club’s assault on the Indian Super League, and his personal campaign for the FIFA presidency.
By Mark Baber
August 14 – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Football Federation (AFF) has set its sights on the ASEAN region jointly hosting the 2034 World Cup. Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pictured) has told local media that the 10 ASEAN nations who attended the ASEAN ministerial meeting on Sports in Kuala Lumpur have agreed to conduct a feasibility study.
By Samindra Kunti
August 14 – Back in April, at the tiny Jalan Besar stadium in hot and humid conditions, Harimau Muda ground out their first S.League win of the season against Young Lions, 1-0. From the stands Michel Sablon was watching on with much interest. The Belgian is a seasoned observer of the beautiful game. He had watched games from the USA to Indonesia, but this was his first acquaintance with Singaporean football.
“Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find nothing.” The goose with the golden eggs, Aesop
Even John Terry – that Captain, Leader, Legend of Chelsea lore, who would in time make rubble of walls with his bare thighs if his manager so desired – is not superhuman. Eight years ago even he was knocked unconscious on a football pitch,
Under pressure and backed into a corner? No problem, let’s take the weight off our shoulders by setting up a Task Force, pat ourselves on the back, send it away and hope for the best.
August 14 – English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur have sharpened up for the new season with a new look and three-year partnership with English tailors Aquascutum, who will become the club’s new Official Formal Wear Partner.
August 14 – Michel Platini has chosen Friday, August 28, to fully explain his decision to go for the FIFA presidency on February 26 just months after deciding he didn’t want the job.
August 14 – It isn’t every day that FIFA enters what appears to be a purely domestic footballing spat unless its rules are in danger of being breached.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 13 – Another unfamiliar figure has emerged to stake a claim to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president. Former Trinidad and Tobago international midfielder David Nakhid , who played 35 times for his country, is the latest name to say he will stand in February’s election.
August 13 – With just a week to go before the official start of the Spanish and Italian leagues seasons, the AS Roma vs Sevilla friendly Friday night (August 14) is the final competitive challenge for both managers to test their new season line-ups. You can watch the match live on Insideworldfootball at http://www.insideworldfootball.com/watch-live-football/17649-as-roma-v-sevilla-18-00-gmt
By Alexander Krassimirov
August 13 – A Turkish police report described the attack against Fenerbahce and Turkey midfielder Mehmet Topal as an “accident” and not an attempted murder.
August 13 – Leading football medics have joined forces to denounce Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho for his treatment of the club’s female head doctor.