FIFA’s 2022 ‘Summer’ task force set for first pow wow
By Andrew Warshaw
September 2 – The FIFA-appointed Task Force set up 10 months ago to decide on the best date for the 2022 Qatar World Cup will meet for the first time on September 8.
Platini surprised at Ribéry’s French exit before home 2016 Euros
September 2 – UEFA president Michel Platini has expressed his surprise at compatriot Franck Ribery’s decision to retire from international football at the age of 31 rather than play at his home Euros in 2016.
Legia’s continued protest incurs the wrath of UEFA
By Andrew Warshaw
September 2 – Legia Warsaw are in trouble again with UEFA, this time for their fans provocatively maintaining their protest against being kicked out of the Champions League for accidentally fielding an ineligible player for a mere couple of minutes at the end of a tie they had already won handsomely.
UK’s Snoozebox signed to provide pop-up hotel in Saransk for 2018 World Cup
September 2 – Finding accommodation at affordable prices at World Cups can often be more of a challenge for fans than buying tickets. Russia 2018 may have found a solution with the Snoozebox Football Village that is planned for Saransk.
Gazprom line up €132m Red Star Belgrade buy
By Paul Nicholson
September 2 – Russia’s Gazprom is reported to be the most likely buyer of Serbian club Crvena Zvezda FC (Red Star Belgrade). Gazprom is owner of Zenit St Petersburg (acquired in 2005) and a major sponsor of the UEFA Champions League.
John Yan: Guangzhou, Liujian and CFA in limbo 青岛中能，足协无能
Bottles were flying on the pitch side, and Guangzhou Evergrande & Taobao FC were losing their grip on the Asian Champions League Trophy bit by bit. The quarter final of ACL between the trophy holders and the Australian club, West Sydney Wanderers, played August 27, was a spirit sapping match.
Ludogorets to host Real and Liverpool in CL in Sofia
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 1 – Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad will play its home games in the Champions League at the National Stadium Vasil Levski in Sofia, according to a club announcement.
Nigerian football stares into the abyss of no matches and further suspension
By Mark Baber
September 1 – Following the farcical events of last week, FIFA have rejected the controversial ‘election’ of Chris Giwa (pictured) as the new president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and warned that Nigeria could be banned by Tuesday if he does not vacate the post by midnight tonight.
Transfer window closes with flurry of loan deals, now time to count the cost
September 1 – Despite frenetic transfer activity in the final few hours of the summer window, the fact that many of the major deals are loans reflects UEFA’s financial fair play rules which Michel Platini says are having the desired effect.
UEFA to re-rank seedings for future draws to keep top clubs apart
By Andrew Warshaw
September 1 – UEFA look set to change the format for seeding clubs in the Champions League to avoid the totally unsatisfactory situation of domestic champions being ranked lower than other clubs from the same country.
Rojo’s Man Utd deal stalled as criminal case and TPO create perfect storm
By Andrew Warshaw
September 1 – The complications of a criminal case back home plus a thorny example of the pitfalls that come with third-party ownership (TPO) appear to have combined to hold up Manchester United’s £16 million purchase of Argentine World Cup star Marcos Rojo.
UEFA fine Linfield for breaking ‘standing’ rules
September 1 – Northern Ireland Premiership club Linfield have been fined €15,000 for breaching UEFA rules over standing areas. The punishment relates to the Belfast side’s home game against Swedes AIK Solna in the Europa League on July 17.
Fluminense and Sporting KC sign for player trading and youth partnership
September 1 – MLS’ Sporting KC has announced a formal partnership with Brazil’s Fluminense FC. The two clubs will share philosophies, marketing strategies, business practices, and players too.
David Owen: Questionmarks over FIFA’s representation in world sport’s most powerful club
So FIFA President Sepp Blatter is a step nearer securing a fifth term as boss of world football, following this week’s announcement by his UEFA counterpart Michel Platini, probably his most credible potential challenger, that he would not stand against him in next year’s election. That means that world football’s governing body may be a step nearer possibly losing its direct, active representation in world sport’s most powerful club – the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
IMG pick up international TV rights to 2015 Gold Cup and Women’s Championship
August 31 – IMG has picked up international TV sales distribution rights to a package of CONCACAF championships in 2015, including the Gold Cup and the Champions’ League. The deal will see IMG sell the rights in all territories outside of the CONCACAF region.