Inside World Football - For the Business of Football

Leak turns into flood: FIFA publish Garcia’s World Cup bidding report in full

By Paul Nicholson

June 28 – FIFA reacted swiftly to the leak to German media of the Garcia Report into the 2018/ 2022 World Cup bidding process by posting the full report online. It was a smart move by FIFA that immediately took the focus of the media reports away from Qatar – who had been lined-up for a series articles from the report – and brought balance to the wider issues of the bidding process and activity of all the bidding nations.

Mendes denies helping Falcao set up shell companies to avoid tax in Spain

Jorge Mendes

June 28 – Football agent Jorge Mendes has denied that he helped Colombia and Monaco striker Radamel Falcao to evade tax in Spain. Mendes appeared 45 minutes before a judge in a closed doors court hearing in Madrid as part of a probe into whether Falcao could be prosecuted over tax evasion.

Man City and Etihad Airways host community leaders in week-long summit

Screen Shot 2017-06-28 at 11.11.55

June 28 – Manchester City invited 50 community leaders to the City Football Academy in Manchester to take part in a week-long summit offering training in community football leadership. The initiative, supported by club sponsor Etihad Airways, completed its activities this week.

Political football: Leaked Garcia report heaps more pressure on Qatar

FIFA sign

By Paul Nicholson

June 27 – The Garcia report into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding, has been leaked to a German newspaper. Until now the report, named after FIFA’s former Ethics chief investigator Michael Garcia, has only been released in summary. A summary that was hotly contested by Garcia.

Confed Cup ‘half time’ report: VARs must speed up; Fans are warming up; What doping?

Busacca

By Samindra Kunti in St Petersburg

June 27 – Confederations Cup organisers say they are satisfied with the way the group stages have gone, but acknowledge that the video assistant referees need time to fine-tune their decision-making. Dubbed as the ‘half time’ press conference, FIFA and its Russian organisers gave their view on the tournament so far and the issues arising.

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Man City times eSports tournament for US fans with pre-season tour

Man City and eSports

June 27 – Manchester City is venturing into the area of eSports promotion and will host its first eSports tournament open to fans in the US – the Man City FIFA 17 Cup – on the Battlefy platform to coincide with the club’s pre-season 2017 tour to the US.

TV money: Is more cash making the game more equal?

Spanish TV rights

June 27 – TV revenues have revolutionised club football finances in Europe. But it is how those revenues are distributed that is crucial to the competitive integrity of leagues, the sustainability of clubs and the competitive balance between the rich and poor.

Linard takes over from De Keersmacker in Belgium and makes stadium issue a priority

Gérard Linard,

June 27 – Gérard Linard (pictured), the new chairman of the Belgian Football Association (KBVB), wasted no time criticising his predecessor Francois De Keersmaecker, saying that the federation needs to end its current malaise and modernise.

Premier League newcomers Brighton dismiss fears over Amex Stadium cladding

AMEX stadium

June 27 – Premier League newcomers have allayed fears over the safety of the Amex Stadium after it emerged the cladding for the stadium was produced by Reynobond, the manufacturer of the cladding used in the Grenfell Tower that was devastated by fire last week, claiming the lives of at least 79 occupants.

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Mexico gear up for new national team sponsorship with Jeep deal

Mexico and Jeep

June 27 – FCA Mexico and the FCA National Dealer Association of Mexico have announced a two-year sponsorship of Mexico’s National Soccer team which will see the Jeep brand providing the official vehicles for the Mexican national team.

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Tax hike forces SportPesa to drop Kenyan sponsorships but its Euro deals hold strong

SportPesa Premoer League

June 27 – Kenyan online betting operator SportPesa is to pull out of its sponsorship of the Kenyan Premier League and the Kenyan Football Federation after the government introduced a new law imposing a 35% tax rate of gross profit on all gambling activities.

Cameroonian clubs reported Infantino and Samoura to FIFA Ethics committee in May

Samoura and Cameroonian friends

By Paul Nicholson

June 26 – The dispute over the running of football in Cameroon that has seen FIFA’s unequivocal support of Tombi A Roko Sidiki as Cameroon FA (Fecafoot) president has entered a new phase. News is emerging of a complaint filed to FIFA’s ethics body against president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura.

Russia crash out as Mexico, Portugal, Germany and Chile head for Confed Cup semis

By Samindra Kunti in St Petersburg

June 26 – Russia’s bid for home Confederations Cup glory crumbled with defeat against Mexico 2-1. The Mexicans now progress to the semi-finals with tournament favourites Portugal, Chile and Germany.

Mutko blasts Russian team doping allegations as ‘nonsense’

vitaly Mutko 7

June 26 – Russian deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko blasted newspaper reports that Russia’s 2014 World Cup squad is under investigation for doping as part of the McLaren report as “nonsense”.

Ashley sells Rangers shareholding as fan group takes stake over 10%

Rangers

By Paul Nicholson

June 26 – The messy divorce of English businessman Mike Ashley from his involvement in Scottish giants Rangers now looks to be complete with Ashley having sold his remaining 8.9% shareholding in Rangers International Football Club for £2 million.