Players agents could have fees capped by FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
September 22 – Players’ agents could have their earnings from transfers capped under a controversial new crackdown being considered by FIFA.
Exclusive: Barcelona and Real Madrid will win the Champions League every year unless new television deal is agreed, warns Cruz
By David Gold
September 23 – The general manager of La Liga outfit Sevilla, Jose Maria Cruz, has warned that unless a new centralised television rights deal is agreed in Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona could end up winning the European Champions League every year.
Spanish Government introduce new rules to protect players wages
By David Gold
September 23 – The Spanish Government has agreed a new law which will prevent the countries’ clubs from using administration to avoid paying players’ wages.
Iraq forced to play qualifying matches on neutral grounds after FIFA ban
By David Gold
September 23 – Iraq will play its home qualifying games for the 2014 World Cup and the London 2012 Olympic Games at neutral venues, after FIFA expressed concern over security in the country.
Platini still has doubts over Qatar 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
September 22 – UEFA President Michel Platini has repeated his concern about the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being staged at the usual time in mid-summer because of the searing heat and humidity of the Gulf region.
Hayatou dumped as head of London 2012 football
By Andrew Warshaw
September 21 – In an unprecedented and embarrassing U-turn, FIFA tonight backtracked over the appointment of controversial African football powerbroker Issa Hayatou to spearhead the London 2012 football tournament at a time when he is under investigation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for alleged corruption.
Yahoo! renews deal with LMA for more exclusive online content
By David Gold
September 21 – Yahoo! has agreed a deal with the League Managers Association (LMA) to renew their online media partnership, giving them access to a variety of video and print content from top Premier League managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish.
Roar’s chief executive Buckley steps down
By David Gold
September 21 – Eugenie Buckley will be leaving her post as the chief executive of Australian side Brisbane Roar to pursue other opportunities, it has been announced.
Real Madrid submit record-breaking turnover
By David Gold
September 21 – Real Madrid has set a new world record after generating €480 million (£419 million/$655 million) in turnover for the year ending June 30, 2011, beating the previous figure set by rivals Barcelona earlier this week.
Tottenham sign planning agreement for new stadium at White Hart Lane
By Andrew Warshaw
September 21 – The future of the 2012 Olympic stadium has taken a potentially significant shift following Tottenham Hotspur’s latest breakthrough to develop their own ground.
Andrew Warshaw: Restoring FIFA’s tattered reputation is a big ask of new communications chief De Gregorio
It’s one thing spearheading FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s election manifesto against a single opponent who later pulls out anyway. It’s quite another taking on a sceptical global media to try to repair the organisation’s battered standing in the game.
That’s the task facing FIFA’s new communications chief Walter De Gregorio, who takes up his new post on October 1.
Given the need-to-know basis on which the FIFA communications policy has operated in the past,
Future of European football to be discussed at UEFA summit
By Andrew Warshaw
September 20 – The entire 53-nation membership of UEFA are meeting in Cyprus today and tomorrow for a rare brainstorming summit called by the organisation’s President Michel Platini to try to find solutions to a range of issues souring the game.
CAF strikes new centralised World Cup deal with Italian firm
By David Gold
September 20 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou has signed a contract with Italian company B4, who are closely associated with French organisations Lagardère Sport and Sportfive, for the sale of centralised television and marketing rights to the African World Cup qualifiers.
Tainted Hayatou chosen by Blatter to replace Bin Hammam as head of FIFA GOAL project
By Andrew Warshaw
September 20 – Issa Hayatou, the African football powerbroker who has twice denied corruption allegations in the past year, is to take over the running of FIFA’s much-trumpeted GOAL Bureau that distributes funds to poorer nations and supports development projects.
Manchester City unveil ambitious plans for new academy
By David Gold
September 20 – Manchester City have unveiled plans to build a new academy complex which they hope will enable them to meet UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules and enable them to move towards a self-sufficient business model.