Sony launches free Champions League prediction game app for PlayStation4
By Paul Nicholson
September 15 – PlayStation4 (PS4) videogamers have three new app-based prediction games to play based on the UEFA Champions League. Available for free, the official PlayStation F.C. UEFA Champions League app can be downloaded from the PlayStation®Store.
FIFA-gate: Lynch promises more arrests as US widens investigation
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
September 14 – Declaring that “no individual is above the law”, the US prosecutor whose revelations brought FIFA to its knees and led in part to Sepp Blatter’s decision to step down as president, says more criminal charges are expected to be brought and more arrests made.
Levski find €1.5m to settle outstanding debt
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 14 – Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia has paid more than BGN 3 million (€1.5 million) in debt settlement to former and current players, and coaches. Ivo Tonev (pictured), one of the majority owners of the club made the announcement after a meeting of the Governing Council.
Pieth says Blatter should be interviewed over TV rights sale to Warner
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
September 14 – As the world’s media descended on Zurich for the eagerly awaited latest developments in the US and Swiss investigations into alleged widespread malpractise surrounding FIFA, the organisation’s former anti-corruption advisor said Sepp Blatter himself should be questioned over the sale of television rights to disgraced former CONCACAF boss Jack Warner.
African Union troops to vacate Somalia’s Mogadishu stadium
By Paul Nicholson
September 14 – The Somali Football Federation’s campaign to win back their national stadium in Mogadishu, which is currently being occupied by African Union troops, took a step nearer realisation last Friday when the country’s president announced the stadium would be vacated.
On or off? CopaCentenario 2016 turns into world football’s hottest potato
By Paul Nicholson
September 14 – While the South Americans seem convinced that the 2016 Centennial edition of the CopaAmerica will be played for the first time outside of the region in the US, in partnership with CONCACAF, the idea this is now a done deal does not seem certain.
Caribbean World Cup TV rights for 2010 and 2014 raise more Warner questions
By Andrew Warshaw
September 14 – As US and Swiss prosecutors prepared to hold an eagerly awaited press conference to update the world’s media on their separate investigations into corruption surrounding FIFA, outgoing president Sepp Blatter found himself unwittingly drawn into the whole murky saga.
‘Exasperated’ FIFA exco member quits as head of Malaysian FA
By Andrew Warshaw
September 14 – He was only elected to FIFA’s inner circle at the end of April but Malaysia’s Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (pictured) has announced he is stepping down as president of his country’s federation.
Mourinho’s medical madness prompts FIFA’s intervention
September 14 – The head of FIFA’s medical committee has commissioned a new sub-group to draw up a special code of ethics for coaches and team doctors.
IFA unveils November conference and Blatter ‘special’ at FIFA House
By Paul Nicholson
September 14 – Just one month after the candidates have to confirm their nominations for the FIFA Presidential race, and three months before the election itself, the International Football Arena (IFA) Conference will take place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, November 19.
Manchester City aim to use Sun to rise in China
By David Owen
September 12 – Manchester City have enlisted the help of Sun Jihai, their former player, in their efforts to better exploit the vast 1.3 billion-strong Chinese market. The defender, who turns 38 this month, made 130 league appearances for the club during a six-year stint between 2002 and 2008.
David Owen: Rooney and Charlton – England goalscorers who are creatures of their times
This has been a week when the names of Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton have been juxtaposed a million times, making comparisons between these authors of a combined 99 England goals inevitable.
Twitter stats: Man Utd set to hit 6m mark, can Cherries bust 100K?
By Paul Nicholson
August 11 – Manchester United have continued their chasing down of the leadership positions in Insideworldfootball’s Twitter rankings, closing to within 60,000 followers of Chelsea in a slower week of Twitter gains but which saw the reds increase their following by 32,000 against Chelsea’s 16,000.
Chelsea and Spurs win FA support to ground-share Wembley
By Mark Baber
September 11 – FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn has said that the FA would be “absolutely supportive” of Chelsea and Tottenham using Wembley whilst they redevelop their stadiums, even if it means they have to ground-share the England’s National Stadium for a period.