By Andrew Warshaw
September 4 – Further evidence has emerged that Germany will withdraw its bid to host the latter stages of Euro 2020, ensuring Wembley stages the semi-final and final. Last week in Monaco, both countries privately hinted that a deal had been done, echoing a previous gentleman’s agreement England were accused of reneging on back in the 1990s.
September 4 – A Female Coaches Advocacy Group has been launched in the US to encourage and promote women into coaching the game. The group is to start at the state level in Colorado and in Southern California with Cal South to create a state network of women in coaching to start dialogue with mentor college women to get involved in coaching.
By Mark Baber
September 3 – Nigerian football remains in chaos as two rival factions within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) battle for legitimacy. The Giwa-led faction claims he was elected President last week whilst the Maigari-led faction have organised new elections for tomorrow (Thursday).
By Andrew Warshaw
September 3 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has re-iterated his stance that Russia will not be stripped of the 2018 World Cup despite European diplomats reportedly considering calling for a boycott in protest at the worsening crisis in eastern Ukraine.
September 3 – UEFA are attempting to distance themselves from a potentially awkward situation at next week’s anti-discrimination conference in Rome.
September 3 – Sepp Blatter has pulled out of opening next week’s annual Soccerex football business conference in Manchester, a huge blow to organisers who have lined up a heavyweight programme of speakers for the three-day event.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 3 – Ivory Coast will host their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone this coming weekend after the government relented and allowed the game to go ahead despite fears over the deadly Ebola virus.
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.