Prosecutors stung as English spot-fixing case dropped due to lack of evidence
January 15 – Widely publicised allegations of spot-fixing involving 13 English-based footballers has been dropped due to “insufficient evidence”.
NSCAA opens world’s largest coaches convention in Philadelphia
By Sam Nicholson in Philadelphia
January 15 – The world’s largest coaches association is holding the world’s largest convention for coaches in Philadelphia, USA. The five-day National Soccer Coaches of America Association (NSCAA) opened yesterday with more than 4,000 coaches and 10,000 attendees from around the country expected to attend.
Cypriot ref faces police questions over match-fixing
January 14 – Police in Cyprus have reportedly detained the head of the country’s referees association Michalis Argyrou (pictured) over allegations that he tried to influence the outcome of a first-division match two years ago.
CIES report finds link between club squad instability and performance
By Mark Baber
January 14 – The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) Football Observatory has published its first monthly report aimed at illuminating the reasons for and consequences of club instability at European level.
Who has the cash? More Messi doubts as he speaks of uncertain future
January 14 – Intrigue over Lionel Messi’s future has been fuelled by the Barcelona maestro admitting he does not know where he will be playing next year.
Poland’s Polsat secures TV rights for Poland’s second tier
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
January 14 – Poland’s I Liga, the second tier of the country’s professional football league, has signed a new broadcasting rights deal for the 2015/2016 season with Polsat, the country’s leading privately-owned broadcaster.
FIFA legal advice finds no smoking gun in Russia or Qatar in Garcia report
January 14 – Expert legal opinion commissioned by FIFA to review Michael Garcia’s report into the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 world Cup, with specific reference to Russia and Qatar, has cleared both countries of any wrongdoing but warns of lawsuits.
Blast from the past – original World Cup trophy base found
January 14 – The stone base of the original Jules Rimet World Cup trophy has been miraculously discovered in a basement storage unit at FIFA headquarters in Zurich.
Botched dope test leaves Jordanian striker ill at AFC Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – The Asian Cup has burst into controversy after Jordan lodged a formal protest with organisers claiming a random dope test that went badly wrong resulted in one their players falling seriously ill.
Brazil conforms and sets date for ending TPO funding practices
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – In a major boost for the regulation of the international transfer market, third-party ownership of footballers will become illegal in Brazil from May 1, bringing the country into line with a global FIFA ban on the practice that comes into effect at the same time.
Russians focus on spiralling costs of 2018 build
By Paul Nicholson
January 14 – Russian 2018 World Cup focus is increasingly turning to budgets and costs as the national economy falters under the pressure of declining energy prices and Western sanctions. But the government’s commitment to deliver seems undiminished despite the financial hardships.
Report highlights eastern shift in world football economy
January 14 – Middle Eastern countries have changed the face of football sponsorship over the past 10 years, not by the number of deals that have originated from the region but the amount of money spent.
Manchester clubs bet on Asia with lottery deal and LIVE event
January 14 – Asia is proving fertile ground for the Manchester clubs from the English Premier League. City have broken into China with local lottery provider DJI Holdings, while United have announced the second day of the club’s UNITED: LIVE fan party will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia January 31.
VIVO connects to Brazil for further 8-year sponsorship
January 12 – Telecom brand VIVO, part of Telefônica Brasil, has renewed its sponsorship with the Brazilian national teams for another eight years. The partnership has existed since 2004 and incorporates both male and female teams.
NFF faces melt-down as infighting re-ignites after arbitration panel refused
By Mark Baber
January 13 – The refusal of the current Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee to set up an arbitration panel in order to bring a sense of legitimacy to football governance in the country, following the disputed elections of September 30, has returned Nigerian football to a full-blown crisis – this time with influential opponents of the Warri-elected NFF President Amaju Pinnick promising to take action simultaneously.