Blanco surprised by Spain’s early exit from Olympics
By David Gold
July 31 – The President of the Spanish Olympic Committee, Alejandro Blanco, has admitted his surprise at the men’s football team’s early exit from the London 2012 Olympics.
Manchester United to raise £210 million from New York flotation
By David Gold
July 31 – Manchester United has announced its intention to raise £210 million ($330 million/€269 million) from its flotation on the New York Stock Exchange.
Brazil to test 2014 World Cup security plans at next year’s Confederations Cup
By David Gold
July 31 – Brazil has unveiled its security plan for the 2014 FIFA World Cup host cities, with R1.17 billion (£370 million/$578 million/€472 million) to be invested in keeping the competition safe.
Ferdinand charged by FA over Twitter “choc ice” comments
By Andrew Warshaw
July 31 – The social networking site Twitter, already proving hugely controversial in the Olympic Games, has also landed Manchester United and former England defender Rio Ferdinand in hot water after he was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association (FA).
Footballer is second Olympic athlete to be punished for posting racist Twitter remarks
By David Gold
July 31 – Switzerland footballer Michel Morganella has been stripped of his Olympic accreditation after posting a racist message on social networking site Twitter.
Rummenigge “sickened” by excessive salary paid by Paris St Germain to Ibrahimović
By David Gold
July 30 – Bayern Munich President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has issued a stinging rebuke to Paris Saint Germain (PSG), saying that the salary they are paying new signing Zlatan Ibrahimović “makes me sick”.
Team GB women raise home spirits by reaching Olympic quarter-finals
By Andrew Warshaw
July 28 – On a somewhat disappointing opening day of sport for the host nation, Team GB’s women’s team – playing in their first ever Olympics – bucked the trend by doing their country proud to reach the quarterfinals along with gold medal contenders Brazil, who they play for top spot in Group E on Tuesday (July 31).
FA charge Terry for abusive and insulting behaviour
By Andrew Warshaw
July 28 – Two weeks after being cleared of racial abuse in a criminal prosecution, former England captain John Terry was charged by the Football Association (FA) yesterday for virtually the same offence.
Conte, Bonucci and Pepe face court over betting scandal
By David Gold
July 28 – Juventus coach Antonio Conte, centre back Leonardo Bonucci and winger Simone Pepe, will all have to respond to allegations of involvement in the betting scandal being investigated in Italy at a sporting tribunal.
Nasri banned for three matches following behaviour at Euro 2012
By David Gold
July 28 – Samir Nasri has been banned for three matches by the French Football Federation (FFF) for his behaviour after the country’s exit from the 2012 European Championship.
FIFA’s new corruption busters pledge to be completely independent
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – FIFA’s two new corruption busters officially began their new roles today promising they will be totally independent and not open to accusations of bias.
Exclusive: Mutko drops out of running for Russian football boss job
By David Gold at Russia.Park in Kensington Gardens
July 27 – Vitaly Mutko, the Russian Sports Minister, has ruled himself out of contention to become the new President of the Russian Football Union (RFU).
ESPN makes inroads into European market
By David Gold
July 27 – ESPN has made further inroads into the European football market after signing deals to broadcast Dutch, French, German, Italian and Russian top flight football.
Philip Barker: Britain played its last Olympic football match in 1971 when no-one really cared
When Ryan Giggs (pictured below) led the Great Britain team out against Senegal at Old Trafford yesterday, it was their first competitive Olympic match for 41 years.
In those days, the game in England was still divided between professionals and amateurs and Great Britain were drawn to play Bulgaria in their quest to reach the Olympic Games in Munich.
Charles Hughes, a coach at the Football Association (FA) and the manager of the England amateur team was put in charge.
UEFA tighten rules on third party ownership
By David Gold
July 27 – UEFA has cracked down on third party ownership after a successful campaign by the English Premier League and Ligue 1, the French Premier League.