Matt Scott: Liverpool lose out in football’s arms race. Don’t blame Rodgers

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“We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.” John F Kennedy

Strategy for both the Eastern bloc and the NATO allies during the Cold War was simple: arm yourselves to the teeth until the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction guaranteed neither side would be stupid enough to go to war.

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A FIFA problem or a US problem? Ambassador LeVine comments

Suzan LeVine

By Paul Nicholson
October 5 – US Ambassador to Switzerland Suzan LeVine (pictured) has emphasised that all those arrested in the corruption scandals engulfing FIFA had US links or US citizenship, seemingly offering an explanation to the Swiss public as to why the US justice authorities have acted so invasively in Swiss territory.

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Football’s leaders gather in Berlin for ASPIRE4SPORT summit

Aspire4Sport

By Samindra Kunti
October 5 – The 2015 ASPIRE4SPORT Congress & Exhibition got underway in the German capital Berlin today. Key stakeholders in the game and performance specialists from clubs and federations are gathering at the summit which has a schedule based on sharing information and experiences of how to create successful structures at the top level of the sport.

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Sack race is up and running with Liverpool and Sunderland making decisive starts

Brendan Rodgers

October 5 – The English Premier League is only eight games into the new season but the sack race is already up and running. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers (pictured) and Sunderland’s Dutch boss Dick Advocaat have both left their respective clubs after difficult starts to the new campaign, an uncomfortable reminder of just how impatient chairmen and owners can be and how quickly fortunes can change.

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Stadia stats: Aston Villa drop to season low, Swans soar

Aston Villa fan

By Paul Nicholson
October 5 – Aston Villa became the first Premier League club to dip below filling 80% of their stadium capacity this season. The Midlands club, often referred to as a sleeping giant, have struggled to fill Villa Park, apart from their opening game of the season. Results have been poor with the club equal bottom of the league on points.

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2014 legacy: Corinthians battle to finish and fund Arena

Arena Corinthians

By Samindra Kunti
October 2 – Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht is planning to finally deliver the Arena Corinthians on October 16, but the stadium will not be complete. With a number of sectors and areas around the stadium unfinished, Corinthians have expressed concern, but have said they do not intend to open legal proceedings against the builders.

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