“We’re on the waiting list for the Olympics” says Blatter after futsal World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
November 19 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter will continue to try to get futsal or beach football on to the Olympic programme, he has promised.
Barcelona shirts to be sponsored by Qatar Airways
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – Qatar Airways will take over as the shirt sponsor for Barcelona from the 2013-2014 season as part of the Catalan giants’ agreement with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), replacing the Qatar Foundation.
Qataris hit back at ‘malicious and reckless’ allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – The bidding process for the 2022 World Cup burst into fresh controversy today after allegations by the Sunday Times newspaper that Qatar officials considered offering $1 million (£630,000/€785) to the son of Amos Adamu, a member of the FIFA executive committee that handed the tournament to the tiny Gulf state.
Bayern Munich posts record €332.2 million turnover
By Andrew Warshaw
November 16 – Despite not winning a trophy, Bayern Munich, Germany’s biggest club, posted a record €332.2 million (£266.6 million/$422.9 million) turnover in 2011-2012, another indication of the growth of the Bundesliga, which stays clear of the benefactor model enjoyed in the English Premier league.
Israel cancels fixtures as Gaza fighting continues
By Andrew Warshaw
November 16 – Sport has once again become an unwitting victim of military activity after Israel called off two Premier League fixtures set for tomorrow due to the ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip.
SFL approves new three-tier league system in Scotland
By Andrew Warshaw
November 16 – Scotland’s 30 Football League clubs have voted unanimously on a total overhaul from 2014-2015 designed make the domestic season more dynamic and competitive.
Pompey Supporters’ Trust to save Portsmouth from collapse
By Andrew Warshaw
November 16 – After lurching from one crisis to another through an era of financial mismanagement, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for troubled English club Portsmouth.
Premier League hints at introduction of Financial Fair Play model
By Andrew Warshaw
November 16 – England’s top-flight clubs have agreed in principle to introduce a model similar to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules that ensure teams breakeven.
Mihir Bose: To say that the FA is not institutionally racist does not mean there are no glass ceilings in football
The debate on racism in football has now descended into absurd levels. On one hand, we are having accusations that the Football Association (FA) is institutionally racist. On the other hand, there are those who argue, and this includes some very powerful figures in the game, that Chelsea should never have made a complaint against Mark Clattenburg.
Both positions are absurd. Let us first deal with the Chelsea situation. As is very clear from what Bruce Buck,
World Cup venues will be complete by 2021 Confederations Cup, says Qatar 2022
By Tom Degun at the Aspire Dome in Doha
November 16 – The Supreme Committee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has confirmed that all 12 stadiums for the event will be ready by the 2021 Confederations Cup, clearing the way for the competition to be held in either the summer or the winter.
Qatar can be a threat at 2022 World Cup, predicts Raúl
By Tom Degun at the Aspire Dome in Doha
November 15 – Former Spain and Real Madrid striker Raúl believes that Qatar could be a threat at the 2022 FIFA World Cup when the sovereign Arab state plays host to the prestigious competition.
Social media is damaging on-pitch communication, claims Lehmann
By Andrew Warshaw
November 15 – Former German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann says the social media revolution is having a detrimental effect on footballers being able to communicate properly on the pitch.
Manchester United debt down 17 per cent
By Andrew Warshaw
November 15 – Lucrative new sponsorship deals allied to a strong start to the season at home and in Europe have contributed to cut the mountain of debt at Manchester United, regarded as the world’s best-supported club.
Football must not look for racism where it doesn’t exist, says Barnes
By Tom Degun at the Aspire Dome in Doha
November 15 – Former England and Liverpool player John Barnes has said that football must not look for racism where it doesn’t exist despite the fact that it is one of the most high-profile issues in the sport at present.
FIFPro voices concerns over Brazil World Cup kickoff times
By Andrew Warshaw
November 15 – The international players’ union FIFPro has raised concerns over the decision to stage certain matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup during the hottest part of the day in more tropical venues.