Inside World Football - Page 1125 of 1509 - For the Business of Football

Gold Cup 2021

Montagliani says Gold Cup is delivering a major return to football for fans and partners

By Paul Nicholson

July 23 – The Gold Cup is now shifting from the hectic daily schedule of double header group games to the quarter finals this weekend in Glendale, Arizona, and Arlington, Texas. Big stadiums worthy of big achievements, something that this Gold Cup has been delivering with regularity.

Honduras looking to upset Mexico; Qatar want to end El Salvador record run

US face strong Reggae Boyz challenge; Canada could take next step up against Costa Rica

Univision reports 25% uptick in Gold Cup viewing as Mexico draw more viewers than Copa America final

State Farm Stadium in Glendale sold out for quarter-final doubleheader

Qatar overcome late Honduran pressure to set up El Salvador desert date

Costa Rica’s Ruiz rolls back the years as Reggae Boyz storm threat blows out

Qatar’s Sanchez respectful of Honduras’ ‘personality’ and ready for a football culture clash

News

Bracket / Schedule

Match reports

Teams

Spine tingling: Honduras fans belt out their national anthem ahead of their Gold Cup match against Panama in Houston, Texas

Blatter opens up to Oxford Union debating society on ‘fantasy’ and ‘fact’

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By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Sepp Blatter, in an address to the Oxford Union, has launched a staunch defence of his long and at times controversial FIFA presidency, insisting he was no “ruthless parasite sucking the lifeblood out of football.” On the eve of attending the English Football Association’s gala dinner celebrating its 150th anniversary, Blatter gave an impassioned address to the famed university debating society.

Archive

Fergie book gets football’s twitterati tweeting

By Tom Parsons
October 25 – The eagerly awaited launch of Sir Alex Ferguson’s autobiography generated the inevitable twitter backlash to accompany some of the more controversial talking points.

Archive

Broadcast regs mean Brits will miss “El Clasico” kick off

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By Tom Parsons
October 25 – Many British television viewers will feel short-changed tomorrow on the day of arguably the biggest footballing match in the Spanish calendar. El Clasico (Barcelona v Real Madrid) takes place on Saturday with kick-off at 5:00pm GMT, however due to British broadcasting regulations the first 15 minutes of the game are not allowed to be shown live on British television.

Archive

Blatter calls for more World Cup places for Africa and Asia

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October 25 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has once again re-opened the prickly debate over World Cup slots by declaring that Africa and Asia deserve more representation and Europe and South America less.

Archive

IFAB tighten goalline tech laws to improve accuracy

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October 25 – Football’s lawmakers have sought to tighten up the accuracy of goalline technology, coincidentally following the latest controversy when Bayer Leverkusen’s Stefen Kiessling was awarded a goal even though his effort had entered through the side netting.

Archive

Top French clubs to strike over new 75% supertax rate

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By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – Professional clubs in France have decided to go on strike for the first time in over 40 years in protest at the government’s proposal to tax business incomes of more than €1 million at a massive 75%. The clubs have unanimously voted in favour of boycotting fixtures scheduled for November 29 and December 2, the first walkout by French players since 1972 and affecting the two top leagues.

Archive

UEFA open second Russian racism investigation, but CSKA still deny charges

By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson
October 24 – The Russian racism row following Wednesday night’s Champions League clash between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City was elevated a further level today when UEFA President Michel Platini requested an internal investigation into why the UEFA protocol for dealing with racial incidents was not applied. Already UEFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into the actual incident, while the Russian World Cup organisers have also issued a statement promising to eradicate racism.

Archive

Russian racism in the spotlight as Toure calls on UEFA for big bans

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By Andrew Warshaw
October 24 – After a period of relative calm with so much media focus on the tournament in Qatar four years later, organisers of the 2018 World Cup in Russia have suddenly found themselves back in the spotlight over the festering issue of racism which still shows no sign of being eradicated.

Archive

Coach takes the blame as UAE hosts exit U17 World Cup

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By Andrew Warshaw
October 24 – The outspoken coach of hosts United Arab Emirates refused to blame his players for their first-round exit from the under-17 World Cup following a 2-0 defeat by Slovakia.

Archive

English grassroots get £102m and a ‘new’ funding body

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October 24 – English grassroots will receive a £102 million boost over the next three years via a new fund that will contribute to new facilities and coaching initiatives throughout the country.

Archive

Olympiakos swap betting firm for UNICEF as shirt sponsor

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By Panos Bletsos
Ocotber 24 – Olympiakos have announced a two-year deal to promote the UNICEF logo on the front of their shirts and to help the Fund raise at least €2 million. The Greek champions and UEFA Champions League regulars have joined Barcelona in supporting the global children’s charity.

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Piat returns to head FIFPro and promises loud and equal voice for player power

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By Andrew Warshaw
October 24 – Frenchman Philippe Piat is back at the helm of the international players’ union FIFPro and has called on member associations to air their grievances to avoid the organisation becoming “an empty shell.” Piat, now 72, was named president for the second time at the FIFPro General Assembly in Slovenia in succession to Leonardo Grosso and will hold the post until 2017.

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FIFA’s Football for Health spreads through the Americas

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By Paul Nicholson
October 22 – FIFA chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak has announced an extension of the Football for Health programme in the CONCACAF region with three new pilot initiatives to be undertaken in countries from the three language groups in the region – English, Spanish and French. The markets have still to be chosen.

Archive

Ferguson opens up like never before in autobiography

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By Andrew Warshaw
October 23- Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired in the summer after 27 years at the club, has revealed he was asked twice to become manager of England – but refused both times.

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Two more clubs pay the penalty for racism

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October 23- Two more cases of racism at Europa League games have drawn the wrath of Uefa who have punished both Cypriot club Apoel Nicosia and Croatia’s HNK Rijeka.