AFF calls in Sportradar to police match-fixing threats at 2016 Suzuki Cup
November 17 – The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) has renewed its deal with Sportradar to provide match-fixing detection and prevention services for its AFF Suzuki Cup.
Author: Paul Nicholson
PSG connects with Ericsson to refocus digital strategy and fan experiences
November 17 – Paris St. Germain have signed an official partnership with Swedish telecom Ericsson that will see the company provide the club with a suite of solutions and services that will revamp the digital experience for fans.
US turmoil as 2026 bid speculation and 2018 qualifying losses pressure Gulati
By Andrew Warshaw
November 16 – US Soccer president Sunil Gulati says a Donald Trump presidency will not affect the decision on whether or not to bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but his federation has more immediate worries after a second successive 2018 qualifying defeat for Jurgen Klinsmann’s team.
India offer Constantine new deal with 2019 Asian Cup target
By Samindra Kunti
November 16 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) have offered Stephen Constantine (pictured) a contract extension despite the disappointing results of the Indian national team. The Englishman’s contract runs out in February 2017.
AFC’s commercial success doubles Champions League final prize purse
November 16 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has doubled the prize money for its flagship Champions League final winners from $1.5 million to $3 million.
France’s e-Ligue 1 signs first TV deal as FIFA 17 gamers ready for season kick-off
November 16 – The French Professional Football League (LFP) sports venture – e-Ligue 1 – has taken a commercial step forward with the signing of its first broadcast deal for its inaugural season with beIN Sports and Webedia.
Qatar 2022 signs deal to open up construction sites for inspection
November 16 – Widely criticised over the treatment of migrant workers employed on construction sites, organisers of the World 2022 in Qatar have given the green light for its stadiums to be inspected by officials of the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), a global federation of some 300 trade unions in the building industry that has a combined membership of more than 12 million workers.
Messi and Argentines boycott press after ‘whacky baccy’ story causes paranoia
November 16 – Lionel Messi is leading a media boycott by the Argentine national team because of “grave and disrespectful” allegations made against a number of his teammates.
English FA scraps Football League expansion as calendar clash would hit new TV deal
November 16 – The biggest shake-up in the English professional football pyramid since the Premier League was set up in 1992 has been scrapped because of a calendar clash between the various parties running the national game.
UEFA delays ruling in mystery Eremenko case
November 16 – UEFA has delayed a ruling in a mysterious disciplinary case involving CSKA Moscow and Finland midfielder Roman Eremenko (pictured).
Asian leagues mount commercial challenges to European imperialists
By Paul Nicholson
November 15 – Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nations have made major efforts with their professional leagues to narrow the gap with their Western counterparts. A new analysis by Football Benchmark, the sports data and analysis arm of KPMG, finds that it s not a case of if but “when and which of its (Asia’s) leagues will be able to compete and eventually challenge the game’s traditional superpowers in the long term.”
Hahn wins Constantin power play but legal issues and fraud probes loom
By Paul Nicholson
November 15 – Dieter Hahn (pictured), the controversial and secretive boss of German media corporation Constantin Media and a key figure behind the scenes in the alleged cash for votes scandal around the Germany 2006 World Cup bid, has engineered a stunning boardroom coup that leaves him in control of Constantin which is to restructure as a sports only business.
Brazil’s crumbling World Cup legacy. Arena Corinthians in a (w)hole lot of trouble
By Samindra Kunti
November 15 – The Arena Corinthians, the World Cup showcase stadium in Sao Paulo that became the home of reigning Brazilian champions Corinthians, is facing severe structural damage due to a massive water leak beneath the facility. The condition may threaten the sustainable use of the venue and again questions the legacy of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
A right to play? Offensive German ‘bullying’ comments trigger San Marino fury
By Andrew Warshaw
November 15 – The debate over whether Europe’s minnows should have their own pre-qualifying competition for major tournaments is nothing new but Germany’s Thomas Muller has stoked an unsavoury spat with officials of San Marino following his team’s 8-0 demolition of the 201st-ranked FIFA nation.
Greeks apologise after Srebrenica massacre banner sparks outrage
November 15 – As if Greek football didn’t have enough serious problems, the national federation has now been forced to apologise to Bosnia-Herzegovina after offensive banners were displayed at a World Cup qualifier last Sunday referring to the infamous 1995 Srebrenica massacre.