Mexico 1 Honduras 0
July 2 – The question on the lips of pundits and fans at Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, was “would tonight be business as usual or unusual business?” as Mexico and Honduras met for the right to face the United States in the Concacaf Gold Cup Final on Sunday in Houston.
Spain 5 Portugal 0
July 3 – With an imperious display, world champions Spain waltzed past neighbours Portugal at the Wankdorff Stadion in Bern, winning 5-0 to back up their status as tournament favourites.
July 16- Lens’s eagerly awaited promotion to Ligue 1 in France is still being delayed after an appeal commission upheld a ruling banning them from joining the French top flight on financial grounds.
The French Football Federation’s appeals body said in a statement they had “confirmed” the sanction imposed last month by the League’s National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG).
July 16- Lens’s eagerly awaited promotion to Ligue 1 in France is still being delayed after an appeal commission upheld a ruling banning them from joining the French top flight on financial grounds.
The French Football Federation’s appeals body said in a statement they had “confirmed” the sanction imposed last month by the League’s National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG).
July 16 – Just months after Juventus coach Antonio Conte led the club to a third consecutive Serie A title – the first time that has happened since the 1930s – he has suddenly walked out, leading to speculation that he is about to take over the national team.
July 16 – Huge crowds turned out in Berlin to welcome home Germany’s World Cup-winning team after their fourth triumph and their first, symbolically, since re-unification between east and west.
By Paul Nicholson and Andrew Warshaw
July 16 – Comments made by FIFA President Sepp Blatter at the World Cup closing press conference in Brazil have caused confusion in Russia both with the 2018 World Cup organisers and amongst the media.
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
July 16 – Korona Kielce has unveiled its new squad shirt for the 2014/2015 season, following the signing of a new technical sponsorship contract with Hummel. The German brand will replace German rival Adidas.
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 16 – The owner of Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Plovdiv Konstantin Dinev (pictured) is to transfer his shares in the club to a supporters group who will not only take over ownership but also the day-to-day running of the business and playing departments.
By Mark Baber
FIFA has extended the deadline for Nigeria to reinstate Aminu Maigari’s Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) board or face further sanctions from today (Tuesday, July 15) to Thursday July 17 in the light of a judicial strike which is delaying the resolution of matters in the Nigerian courts.
The extension was granted due to nationwide industrial action currently being taken by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.
By Mark Baber
FIFA has extended the deadline for Nigeria to reinstate Aminu Maigari’s Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) board or face further sanctions from today (Tuesday, July 15) to Thursday July 17 in the light of a judicial strike which is delaying the resolution of matters in the Nigerian courts.
The extension was granted due to nationwide industrial action currently being taken by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 15- Brazilian sports minister Also Rebello has launched a scathing attack on what he describes as the “colonialism” of young Brazilian footballers by European clubs.
As the inquest continues into Brazil’s World Cup humiliation – coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s resignation has now been confirmed by the Brazilian FA — Rebello said youth development had been hindered by too many talented youngsters being lured too early by the prospect of going to Europe – and taking their parents with them.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 15- Amid yet another twist in the alleged World Cup ticketing scandal involving the British director of a Fifa partner firm, Fifa itself has issued the strongest defence yet of its own integrity and credibility in the matter.
Reports in Brazil claim Ray Whelan, who works with Match Services on the hospitality side and is one of 12 people detained by police as part of an investigation into an international ticket touting gang,
July 15- FIFA has denied reports that there could be a clash with European clubs over the release of players for future World Cups.
The clubs are seeking a new financial deal for compensating their highly-paid employees since the European Club Association’s existing memorandum of understanding with Fifa is expiring. Football’s world governing body distributed money on a daily rate for as long as players were involved in the tournament in Brazil.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 15- FIFA President Sepp Blatter delivered a generally positive report on the World Cup in Brazil – but admits his organization came up short when it came to dealing with discrimination.
Despite all the fears about lack of organization and street protests, the tournament was widely considered one of the best off the field – and perhaps THE best on it.
By Ben Nicholson
July 15 – The 2014 World Cup has set new records for both Twitter and Facebook, becoming the most talked about sporting event in history on social media and living up to its pre-tournament moniker of being ‘The Mobile World Cup’.
July 15 – Adidas have renewed their partnership with the Mexican national team in an eight-year deal that means they will provide playing and training kit up until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.