Manaus stadium thrown another lifeline with hosting of crucial Brazil 2018 qualifier
By Samindra Kunti
May 3 – The Brazilian FA, the CBF, has confirmed that Brazil will play their World Cup qualifier against Colombia in September in Manaus.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Exclusive: Leaderless UEFA will be in nomansland until September if Platini loses
By Andrew Warshaw
May 2 – European football looks set to be without an elected leader until September if banned UEFA boss Michel Platini fails to clear his name over alleged ethics violations.
Liverpool head Man Utd, Bayern, Chelsea and Arsenal on China’s Weibo
May 2 – China’s leading social media platform Weibo has seen an 18% growth in sports teams, leagues and players using the site – there are now 1,200 official sports organisations on the platform.
UEFA chieftains gather in Budapest for Congress with only Kosovo to cause contention
By Andrew Warshaw
May 2 – Delegates from UEFA’s 54 member countries are gathering in Budapest for Tuesday’s annual congress with the likehihood of the summit being one of the shortest on record.
Juventus join PSG as perennial champions, Bayern drop points but on course
By Paul Nicholson
May 2 – Europe’s big teams are once again dominating Europe’s big leagues with Juventus celebrating their fifth consecutive Serie A title with their tenth consecutive league win.
Ajax in pole position to restore normal order in Eredvisie
By Samindra Kunti
May 2 – Ajax Amsterdam have moved a step closer to winning a fifth domestic league title in six years after hammering FC Twente 4-0.
Qatar investigates death of steelworker at Al Bayt stadium
May 2 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers have come under renewed scrutiny after announcing than an Indian steelworker employed on a World Cup site has died.
Liverpool send advance party to US with U21 trip to Sacramento
May 1 – Liverpool will play in the US in the pre-season International Champions Cup this July, but before then the club’s U-21 team will play two friendly matches in California and Nevada against Sacramento Republic next month.
Kuwait government declares war on FIFA with legal action over suspension
By Matt Scott
April 29 – Kuwait’s government has launched legal action against FIFA and other international federations implementing its ban from international sporting competition.
PAOK refuse to play Cup semi-fnal amid calls for deeper clean of Greek football
By Andrew Warshaw
April 29 – Despite a solution seemingly having been reached between Greek authorities and FIFA to resume the national cup competition and prevent Greece being thrown out of international football, PAOK Salonica owner Ivan Savvidis (pictured) pulled his team out of this week’s semi-final, second leg against Olympiakos Piraeus because his conditions had not been met.
Last chance Platini heads to CAS to take on football’s Grim Reaper
By Andrew Warshaw
April 29 – Michel Platini made his do-or-die appearance before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) today in the vain hope that he can clear his name and resume his UEFA presidency in time for the organisation’s annual congress in Budapest next week.
Kuwait will host for 23rd Gulf Cup; if FIFA ban is lifted
By Mark Baber
April 29 – The national football associations of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and Yemen have agreed to reinstate Kuwait as hosts of the 23rd Gulf Cup from December 15-29, 2016, if FIFA lift the ban on the country.
Japan break from male tradition to appoint Takakura as women’s head coach
By Andrew Warshaw
April 29 – Asako Takakura has been appointed the first ever female coach of Japan’s senior women’s national team, hailed as an important breakthrough in promoting gender equality and the skills of women coaches globally.
Brazilian ‘mafia’ inquiry targets Marin, Hawilla, Dunga, Neymar’s Dad and Infantino
By Samindra Kunti
April 29 – The Brazilian parliamentary inquiry (CPI) into corruption in football – actually called CPI da Mafia de Futebol – has requested interviews with former president of the Brazilian FA Jose Maria Marin (pictured) and Traffic founder Jose Hawilla, both currently confined to the United States as part of their agreements with the US Department of Justice as it continues its football corruption prosecutions.
PSG leaves Ligue 1 rivals behind as it closes in on €500m revenue mark
By Samindra Kunti
April 29 – Latest financial reports show how the metamorphosis of Paris Saint-Germain’s into the powerhouse of French football has continued off the pitch. In 2015 PSG had a revenue of €484 million, more than the combined total of 14 other clubs in France’s Ligue1.