Social network Hinch.as debuts as ‘Facebook’ for players and fans
February 26 – A new football on-line social platform is being trumpeted by its founders as a revolutionary way of interaction between fans and players.
Greek Super League suspended after violence runs out of control
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – Just as its new government struggles to come to terms with its enormous debt crisis, Greece now has a major sporting issue on its hands with domestic football plunged back into chaos after the authorities ordered the suspension of the top three league divisions.
New long-term marketing deal for Munich’s sleeping giants
By David Owen
February 26 – Munich’s other club has signed an exclusive marketing deal with Infront Sports & Media, the sports marketing company that China’s Dalian Wanda Group recently agreed to buy for more than €1 billion. The agreement covers all 1860 Munich’s sponsorship, advertising and hospitality between now and 2027-28.
Top Eleven 2015 game release adds 2m downloads in first week
By Paul Nicholson
February 26 – Nordeus, makers of the Top Eleven football management game, is reporting a successful relaunch with more than 2 million new downloads in the first week following the game’s release in the app stores.
Exclusive: 2022 World Cup in the bag! England have never lost an international in December
By David Owen
February 26 – Phil Neville, the former Manchester United, Everton and England footballer turned BBC pundit, swam against the tide this week. While many in the country that invented football were bemoaning the FIFA task force recommendation to stage the 2022 World Cup in November and December, Neville said it might be “the best thing that’s ever happened” to England.
Italian World Cup hero Cannavaro gets 10 months in jail for breaking into own home
February 25 – Former Real Madrid and Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for breaking the police seal at his home in Naples.
Police hunt for Chelsea racists gathers speed as pictures released
February 25 – The hunt for Chelsea’s racist fans has been stepped up with British Transport Police having now issued pictures of seven men they want to question in connection with racist chanting at St Pancras International railway station last Wednesday February 18.
Kenyan league mayhem could force new FIFA intervention
By Mark Baber
February 25 – The injunction taken out by the Football Kenya Federation last Friday, in contravention of its own statutes and those of FIFA, to bring the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to a halt was served on Monday morning, plunging the league its players and Kenyan football into deeper crisis.
Opel continues Bundesliga drive renewing FSV Mainz, SC Freiburg
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
February 25 – Opel has renewed its sponsorship deals with 1. FSV Mainz 05 and SC Freiburg. Since 2013, the German car maker has served as the official automotive and premium partner of four 1. Bundesliga clubs, which also include Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
The verdicts: round-up of reactions to Winter 2022 proposal
February 25 – The firm recommendation to stage the 2022 World Cup in winter has prompted intense reaction from among supporters and critics alike. Below is a summary of the reaction from the key stakeholders.
Lee Wellings: The European clubs doth protest too much
So there is a limit to the power of the English Premier League. Indisputably the most entertaining, popular money-spinning league in world football, the world does not, it seems, revolve around it. At least not yet.
Qatar 2022 LOC hosts first board meeting as it prepares for Winter
February 25 – Organisers of the 2022 Qatar World Cup today outlined their vision of what they have promised will be an “outstanding” tournament regardless of the controversy over switching it to winter.
Clubs call for cash to warm-up their 2022 Winter is dismissed by Valcke
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – Twenty-four hours after the announcement of the first ever winter World Cup in 2022, FIFA embarked on a fresh collision course with Europe’s major leagues and clubs by ruling out paying any enhanced compensation for the amount of time players will be away on international duty and the disruption it will cause to the regular calendar.
D’Hooghe puts the picture straight as FIFA ethics clear him of misconduct
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – Michel d’Hooghe, FIFA’s longest-standing executive committee member, has been cleared of any misconduct in the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, bringing an end to what he described a few weeks ago as the hardest period of his life.
David Owen: Winners and losers from a December World Cup
It ain’t over ’til it’s over: FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee is not expected to rubber stamp its task force’s recommendation until next month and the big European clubs employ so many of the world’s top players these days that their bargaining power should not be underestimated.