Mexico may go it alone for 2026 World Cup bid
November 1 – Mexico, the first country to host the World Cup twice, now wants to be the first to stage it three times and is prepared to do so alone rather than jointly with the United States.
Gold Cup 2025
USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica
USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
Real Madrid and Ajax top rankings of clubs turning out players into first teams
November 1 – There are more players progressing into first team squads in Europe’s top leagues from Real Madrid and Ajax than any other clubs in Europe. Real Madrid have trained 41 players now playing at Big-5 league clubs.
Man City launch on Amazon Fire TV platform with CityTV content
November 1 – Manchester City have continued their rapid digital expansion with the launch of a new app for Amazon Fire TV allowing users to stream CityTV videos directly on to a connected TV via the Amazon platform.
Bale and Aguero add ‘excitement’ to Nissan’s brand marketing push
November 1 – Japanese car manufacturer Nissan, global sponsor of UEFA’s Champions League, has added some star power to its ‘Excitement’ advertising theme, naming Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero as the brands ‘Engineers of Excitement’.
Inter cut losses by €80m as Suning’s new money positions club for Euro push
By Paul Nicholson
October 30 – Internazionale have announced a jump in revenue for 2015-16 of almost €43 million, despite having no involvement in European competition and in particular the lucrative Champions League participation and prize monies, a core target for the new Chinese owners.
David Owen – Has Tebas dropped support for European Super League after all?
In September it was reported that Javier Tebas, showman President of La Liga, had given conditional support to the notion of a breakaway European Super league. Well, to judge by his bravura performance at Sportel Monaco last week, the newly-re-elected Spaniard has undergone an evolution in his thinking.
AFC sets Feb date for second attempt at FIFA Council elections
October 31 – The Asian Football Confederation has rescheduled its Extraordinary Congress to elect candidates for the FIFA Council, postponed in equally extraordinary circumstances in protest at FIFA’s late decision to bar Saoud Al Mohannadi, vice-president of the Qatar Football Association, from standing as a result of an on-going ethics investigation and recommendation of a minimum two-year ban, for February 28 at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Dutch FA delivers €6.8m profit as member levels hit record high
By Samindra Kunti
October 31 – The Dutch FA, the KNVB, has reported a profit of €6.8 million for the 2015/16 season. The KNVB also revealed that registered members of the governing body had jumped to 1,227157, the highest level in its history.
Gabon players issue strike threat as country readies for 2017 AFCON hosting
October 31 – Gabon, hosts of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, has been threatened by its players who say they are prepared to go on strike in a row over non-payment of salaries. Chief among four main demands is the back payment of salaries dating from present day back to 2013.
Bournemouth launch predictor game app with Deliveroo prizes
October 31 – Premier League Bournemouth have launched a new app with takeaway food delivery service Deliveroo and incorporating a fantasy football and predictor game. The app has been developed by Irish fan engagement company Sportego.
Saudis scupper bomb plot targeting World Cup Qualifier vs UAE
October 31 – Saudi authorities say they foiled a terrorist bomb plot due to have been carried out earlier this month at a World Cup qualifying match.
Belgian Leekens returns to Algeria for second spell with national team
By Samindra Kunti
October 31 – It has been a busy week for Belgian George Leekens (pictured) who is returning to Algeria as national team coach just days after being sacked by his club Lokeren.
Above criticism? Barca take Tebas to TAS over player conduct comments
October 28 – Barcelona have reported La Liga president Javier Tebas to Spain’s highest sports court, the Administrative Court of Sport (TAS), after he questioned their players’ conduct in last weekend’s 3-2 win at Valencia when Lionel Messi scored a stoppage-time penalty.
Doors are starting to close on West Ham and their violent fans
October 28 – England’s Football Association has launched an official inquiry into the fan violence that marred Wednesday’s League Cup tie between West Ham United and Chelsea at the former’s new London Stadium.
Sevilla, Atlético and Dortmund challenge myth that big spend means big win
By Paul Nicholson
October 28 – The accepted football wisdom is that if you throw big money at buying your playing squad then you will win. The reality of this rule of thumb is different and as a rule is challenged by a Football Benchmark analysis that examines the average net player trading activity, between the 2011-12 and 2014-15 seasons, of top European football clubs.