Exclusive: Olympic footballers could face late, late show
By David Owen
January 23 – Teams qualifying for the knock-out stages of the 2020 Olympic football competitions may face some late nights if Tokyo wins the right to stage the Games.
Uzbek’s fair play award wins presidential praise and human rights reminders
By Mark Baber
January 22 – The award of the FIFA Fair Play Award 2012 to Uzbekisan has been met with delight and a reason for national pride by the Uzbek President Islam Karimov and reminders of the Central Asian country’s lack of fair play in the political arena by media and human rights groups.
Reds take full control of MUTV
By Mark Baber
January 22 – Manchester United have acquired the one-third minority equity stake in Manchester United Television (MUTV) held by BSkyB (Sky) giving the club 100% control of its television channel.
Ghana FA renews sponsorship with Glo Mobile
By Mark Baber
Janaury 22 – Glo Mobile Ghana has renewed its sponsorship of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for $2.1 million. The funding will support of the Black Stars (national team) and the Ghana Premier League.
Sven stops off at UAE on his world tour
By Andrew Warshaw
January 22 – Former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson insists he has not taken up his latest job just for the money after agreeing an 18-month contract as a technical adviser of United Arab Emirates’ Al Nasr club.
Puma boots up to sell replica African kits in Brazil
By Mark Baber
January 22 – In preparation for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Puma has signed a new sub-license deal with the Cameroon, Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Senegal aimed at the South American market as well as entering into a partnership with Centauro, one of the largest sporting goods retail chains in Latin America which has over 130 stores in Brazil.
Man Utd head to Qatar for winter training camp
By Andrew Warshaw
January 22 – Qatar’s Aspire academy, which has been attracting increasing publicity as one of the world’s most sophisticated sports facilities since the Gulf state won the right to stage the 2022 World Cup, has struck another coup by being chosen by Manchester United for a mid-season training camp this week.
Wembley to stay a ‘clean’ venue
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 22 – London’s Wembley stadium will not be going the same way as other iconic grounds and be re-titled as part of a naming rights deal – at least not yet, according to the English Football Association.
Platini backs Boateng, financial fair play and, again, a Winter World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 22 – Despite voting for Qatar to stage the 2022 World Cup in the Summer, UEFA President Michel Platini continues to beat the drum for the tournament to be switched to the winter months.
Beach Soccer expands into India with Goa event
January 21 – Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) announced today that it is organising India’s first professional Beach Soccer Championship in Goa next month, February 7-10.
Zambians offered cash incentive to retain their ACON crown
By Mark Baber
January 21 – The Africa Cup of Nations reigning champions Zambia opened their campaign today with the promise of a cash bonus from their country’s president if they made the final and a 4.5 times that bonus if they bring the trophy home again.
Uruguay football banned for 10 days after violent clashes
By Mark Baber
January 21 – Uruguay began a 10-day football ban on Friday after violence marred Wednesday’s mid-season recess game between Penarol and Nacional at the Centenario.
Imported players at record high across all Euro leagues, says CIES survey
By Mark Baber
January 21 – A new survey shows the percentage of players in European leagues imported from abroad is now at a record high. In the top 31 division leagues of UEFA, 36.1% of all squad members grew up in a different national association to that of their employer club.
UAE players hit the jackpot after Gulf Cup win
By Mark Baber
January 21 – UAE’s 2-1 win over Iraq in extra-time of the final of the Gulf Cup on Saturday has triggering a staggering Dh137 million ($37.3million) of money and gifts for the players and technical staff from the Emirates’ rulers as extra reward for their achievement.
UEFA fines Ajax for fans banner displayed at Manchester City match
By Mark Baber
January 21 – Ajax fans displayed banners, including an ‘Against Modern Football” banner with a cartoon of a sheikh handing over a bag of money with a dollar sign on it, on a light blue background with a red line through it, during a Champions League match in October against Manchester City.