September 3 – Italy’s leading team on the pitch continues to lead the country’s social media off it, this time with a video skit made on Juventus’ Australian tour using dead-pan Italy star Andrea Pirlo.
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
September 3 – Polish businessman Wieslaw Wlodarski has announced he is aiming to take over Wisla Krakow from its current owner, Boguslaw Cupial. The announcement was made following the signing of a three-year sponsorship deal between Wlodarski’s company, Foodcare, and the Krakow-based football side.
By Ben Nicholson
September 3 – Jürgen Klinsmann (pictured) has again voiced his discontent with the MLS calendar, stating categorically that the structure is “not working anymore”. His wish is for the MLS to “extend the season. Obviously you get 21 teams next year. Start earlier, finish later, but open these slots for the national team program.”
“To be brave, by definition, one has first to be afraid.” Robert Harris, Pompeii
There is no questioning the boldness of Premier League clubs’ activity in the transfer market this summer. The £835 million (€1.049 billion) in gross spending on new players exceeded the gross domestic product of San Marino or Gibraltar. When I wrote here three months ago that a financial volcano was primed to erupt in English football,
September 2 – The final national team squads for the Central American Cup Tigo 2014 that kicks off tomorrow have been announced, boasting multiple World Cup players amongst MLS and Europe-based players. However, there is a strong contingent of home-based players in each squad, serving not only as a reflection of each nation’s best 11, but also as a point of comparison for each nation’s respective club leagues.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 2 – Senior Russian football sources have for the first time provided fresh information which they claim proves that their federation has not interfered with Ukrainian clubs following the widely condemned annexation of Crimea.
The Malky Mackay saga has once again brought racism and sexism in football back on the agenda. And in particular it has raised the question: why is it that the world’s greatest game is so integrated and seems so inclusive on the field of play but off it is “hideously” white, to use FA chairman Greg Dyke’s phrase. If there were any doubts about that last week’s launch of the Champions League once again displayed European football’s Janus face.
September 2 – Michel Platini has given the strongest hint yet that UEFA may introduce goalline technology at the Euro 2016 finals but remains steadfastly opposed to using it in club competitions.
September 2 – Michel Platini has given the strongest hint yet that UEFA may introduce goalline technology at the Euro 2016 finals but remains steadfastly opposed to using it in club competitions.
By David Owen
September 2 – Summer transfer spending by Premier League clubs hit a record £835 million in the window that closed last night, as higher broadcasting revenues combined with more intense competition for England’s four Champions League slots to send expenditure soaring.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.