Bavarian brothers: Bayern and Siemens form new technology alliance
July 4 – Munich-based German engineering firm Siemens has been named as the Performance Partner of FC Bayern München in a three-year deal starting with the new season.
Blake denies receiving commission or money laundering in CIFA $1.2m corruption probe
By Paul Nicholson
July 4 – Bruce Blake, First Vice President of the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) and a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) executive committee member, has denied at any time receiving any ‘secret’ commission or engaging in any money laundering activity.
Jeff Webb associate Bruce Blake arrested in Cayman on corruption charges
By Paul Nicholson
July 3 – The Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) has been hit by further scandal with the arrest of First Vice-President Bruce Blake (pictured) by the Cayman Islands Anti-Corruption Commission. A second Cayman Island football official is believed to have been arrested but no names have been released.
FIFA insists VAR is ending ‘big’ mistakes. But even when it is ‘clearly wrong’?
By Andrew Warshaw
July 3 – The future of football or an expensive counter-productive exercise? The jury seems very much to still be out when it comes to video technology following the conclusion of the Confederations Cup.
Mutko fury at doping allegations as details of Xenon tests emerge
By Andrew Warshaw
July 3 – The Confederations Cup may be over but the spectre of doping continues to hang over Russian football, a major headache for World Cup chief and deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko.
Confed Cup closes with a German win, a pop at Grindel and praise for Russia – doping apart
By Samindra Kunti in St Petersburg
July 3 – Gianni Infantino praised Russia for its staging of the Confederations Cup, but doping allegations cast a shadow over the tournament’s end. The FIFA president vowed that Russia will face disciplinary proceedings if the doping allegations surrounding their team at the 2014 World Cup are proven.
WARNING: paper cuts can be dangerous in Europe. Just ask Rangers fans
July 3 – Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers after objects were allegedly thrown during their return to European football after a six-year absence.
Sudan in last minute escape from FIFA international ban
By Mark Baber
July 3 – Sudan has managed to escape a FIFA ban, which had been due to go into force on Friday, after a last-minute deal was reached between feuding factions competing for control of the Sudan Football Association.
SPFL raises prize and TV cash to £2m for Betfred Cup
July 3 – The Scottish Premier Football League (SPFL) has boosted total prize to £1.6 million and TV payments to almost £500,000 for the 2017 Betfred Cup. The 15% increase includes a record £250,000 for the competition winners.
Blatter packing a bag for Russia, but FIFA’s former pied piper is not taking a whistle
By Andrew Warshaw
July 3 – Defiant as ever, Sepp Blatter says he will travel to Russia for next year’s World Cup despite serving a six-year ban from all football-related activities imposed by FIFA’s ethics committee.
Interview: Sorokin on 2017 learnings, 2018 expectations and a seat at FIFA’s top table
July 3 – The Confederations Cup has been a test of Russia’s organisational skills and a credible warm-up for 2018. Alexey Sorokin, chief executive of the Organising Committee for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, in an exclusive interview with Samindra Kunti talks about the learnings from the tournament, Russia’s expectations for 2018, and his bid for a seat on FIFA’s Council.
BODYARMOR takes a tournament sponsorship slug of the Gold Cup
July 3 – With the CONCACAF Gold Cup kicking off next Friday (July 7), BODYARMOR SuperDrink has signed up as the tournament’s hydration partner. The launch was given star power with the roll out of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
Tanzania FA president detained over ‘corruption’ allegations as elections near
By Mark Baber
June 30 – Tanzania’s Football Federation(TFF) president, Jamal Malinzi (pictured), has been arrested over corruption allegations, following an incomplete investigation, in circumstances which suggest a deliberate attempt to prevent him participating in upcoming TFF elections.
Germany face Chile in Confed Cup final as TV audiences build to finale
By Samindra Kunti
June 30 – Germany and Chile will play the final of the 2017 Confederations this Sunday after eliminating Mexico and Portugal respectively in the semi-finals. For a tournament that was met with scepticism and supposedly fading interest, FIFA is reporting positive TV audiences for the group stages.
Teixeira scorns Garcia report, US justice and says he never took money from Rosell
By Samindra Kunti
June 30 – The former CBF president Ricardo Teixeira has called the Garcia report “inconclusive” and postulated, facing a US indictment against him, that Brazil is a safe haven.