England edge France to win the Toulon Tournament
May 30 – England Under 21 beat France 2-1 Under 20s to win the Toulon Tournament their first win since 1994, having qualified for the third place play-off for the past two years.
Author: Paul Nicholson
West Ham stamp their mark on London’s Olympic Stadium
May 30 – West Ham have planning approval to instal Europe’s largest in-stadium digital screen at the Olympic Stadium as part of a wrap around the stadium carrying the club’s colours and logo.
Now 16 FIFA execs named in Julius Baer money laundering probe
By Paul Nicholson
May 27 – Details are slowly emerging that as many as 16 bank accounts were held by FIFA officials at Swiss private bank Julius Baer, with at least four of them held by officials indicted by the US Department of Justice in its investigation into FIFA corruption and money laundering.
Can Real and Atletico change world fashion as they chase club football’s richest prize?
By Samindra Kunti in Milan
May 27 – By the end of Saturday night the Champions League trophy will be returning to the Spanish capital as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid contest club’s football richest game. The winner will bank a cool €15 million; the runner-up €10.5 million. The champions will also earn a ticket to the FIFA World Club Cup in Japan in December, where another €4.5 million is on offer for the winning finalist.
Romanian FA clamps down with bans on 17 match-fixing players and coaches
May 27 – Romanian football, already rocked by a cash crisis that led to a number of clubs being docked points and barred from European competition, has been plunged into further turmoil with bans imposed on three coaches and 14 players at second division Gloria Buzau over match-fixing allegations.
Ronaldo more exciting than boring Messi, Bayern and Juve send pulses racing
May 27 – UEFA Champions League sponsor Nissan have again delved into their ‘Excitement Index’ data to come up with a list of the most exciting moments and players so far this campaign.
Mourinho feels the Man Utd love as he prepares for a brand new war
By Andrew Warshaw
May 27 – The self-styled Special One is back – officially. Jose Mourinho has signed a three-year contract to become Manchester United’s new manager, already setting up a mouth-watering 2016-17 Premier League season with the last campaign only just out of the way.
Moggio aces CONCACAF interviews to land top job
May 27 – Unlike FIFA’s surprise announcement of its never-before-heard-of new general secretary recruited single-handedly by new president Gianni Infantino, CONCACAF’s new general secretary announced yesterday comes out a more rigorous recruitment process led by an executive search firm.
More fireworks for Liverpool. UEFA set off second fine in a week
May 27 – Liverpool have been hit with a second UEFA fine in less than a week, this time for their fans letting off fireworks during their Europa League quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund in April.
Are the English preparing for a winter break? FA scraps Cup quarter-final replays
May 27 – Fixture congestion has finally taken its toll on the world’s oldest and most revered domestic knockout competition with English FA Cup quarter-final replays to be scrapped from next season.
France call in paramilitary to keep Euro 2016 secure from terrorist attack
By Andrew Warshaw
May 26 – More than 90,000 police and security agents will be deployed across France to ensure safety at Euro 2016 as fears about potential terrorist action heighten, according to French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.
Juve link with KingFut to launch Arabic language service
May 26 – Italy’s Serie A champions Juventus have added an Arabic language service to their web and social media platforms. The deal with KingFut principally targets the middle east and Africa and is the club’s seventh language extension.
Chinese poised to buy Spain’s Granada CF from Italy’s Pozzo family
May 26 – Rumoured Chinese investment in Spanish club Granada CF looks to be nearing completion with reports that a figure of €37 million has been agreed.
Jose’s Man Utd signing snags over who owns his image; could Zlat sign first?
May 26 – Image rights negotiations are reportedly delaying Jose Mourinho’s imminent appointment as Manchester United manager.
England and France poised to meet in Toulon Tournament final
May 26 – England virtually guaranteed their place in the final of the Toulon Tournament with a storming 4-0 win over closest group rivals Paraguay. France need just one point from their final group game tonight to join them.