For the Business of Football - Inside World Football

FIFA completes 2014 sponsor programme with signing of Centauro

Details: FIFA; Published on Thursday, 16 May 2013 16:57

May 16 – FIFA has announced the final sponsor partner in its World Cup programme, signing Centauro, south America's leading sports retailer, as a National Supporter. The announcement was made by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke in Rio following a meeting of the local organising committee board.

Stange takes on Singapore as Phuc steps up in Vietnam

Details: Asia; Published on Friday, 17 May 2013 12:07

By Mark Baber
May 17 – Singapore and Vietnam have both appointed new supremos for their national teams in advance of the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.

Tebas warns four clubs are in severe financial difficulties, two are critical

Details: Europe; Published on Friday, 17 May 2013 09:47

By Gareth Messenger
May 17 - Javier Tebas, President of the National Professional Football League (LFP), believes that four clubs in Spain are in a frail financial position with two of them on the edge of liquidation.

Mixed messages from English FA over new racism penalties

Details: Europe; Published on Thursday, 16 May 2013 20:03

By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 - English football is cracking down on racism from next season - but not as strongly as UEFA. Players found guilty of racially abusing an opponent will be suspended for a minimum of five matches, half the sentence UEFA says it will impose in its competitions.

English icon David Beckham calls time on a stellar playing career

Details: Europe; Published on Thursday, 16 May 2013 18:15

By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 - Sir Alex Ferguson isn't the only Manchester United icon to retire from football. Former England captain David Beckham - arguably the most recognised and respected player of his generation - has now announced that he, too, is stepping down at the end of this season after a distinguished career spanning 20 years.

Western Union PASSes expectations with Europa League

Details: Europe; Published on Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:32

By Andrew Warshaw in Amsterdam
May 16 - However fortuitous Chelsea were in their Europa League victory over Benfica on Wednesday night, behind the scenes tournament sponsors Western Union were celebrating their own special landmark. Commercial partners traditionally deliver all kinds of reasons, some more credible than others, for getting into bed with football to enhance their brand awareness. But sometimes a campaign looks such an obvious fit, it seems destined for immediate success.

ASEAN countries plan bid for 2034 World Cup

Details: Asia; Published on Thursday, 16 May 2013 11:21

By Mark Baber
May 16 – A group of ASEAN sports ministers have tabled a plan to launch a joint bid to host the World Cup in 2034, according to the deputy president of Malaysia's football association and AFF member Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (pictured).

WADA change may result in fewer failed drug tests in world football

Details: News; Published on Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:10

By David Owen
May 16 – The number of positive doping tests in football may be set to fall significantly because of a change implemented by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). WADA this week announced a 10-fold increase in the threshold level for marijuana.

Tragic death of US man attempting to dribble to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Details: News; Published on Thursday, 16 May 2013 11:48

By Mark Baber
May 16 - US soccer fan, Richard Swanson, was tragically killed by a pick-up truck, two weeks after embarking on a 10,000 mile charity trek aimed at dribbling a football from Seattle to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.