West Ham’s award-winning Indian keeper battles for right to stay in UK
December 1 – One of India’s most accomplished women footballers is facing deportation from Britain due to strict visa rules that threaten to curtail her progress.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Man City group lands $400m of new money from China
By Paul Nicholson
December 1 – City Football Group (CFG), the Abu Dhabi-owned football investment firm that counts Premier League leaders Manchester City as one of its clubs has announced a $400 million new investment from China, valuing CFG at $3 billion.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Real and Atletico could face transfer bans over transfer of minors
By Mark Baber
November 30 – In a report that will be music to the ears of supporters of many clubs, leading European clubs including Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea and others may face a FIFA transfer ban.
Warner pleads poverty saying legal process is pushing his finances to the brink
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – Disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, who is trying every tactic he can to avoid being extradited to the United States to face corruption charges, now says the legal process is taking its toll on his finances and has filed an appeal challenging the order.
AFC recognises a winning year as it honours its best Bollywood-style
November 30 – On a glittering Bollywood-style night of entertainment and awards in New Delhi, India, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) honoured their players and federations with a series of awards for a season that AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has taken the region to new levels.
Pressure group sends 30-question survey to FIFA candidates
November 30 – The five FIFA Presidential candidates have been asked to nominate their top three priorities if they end up being elected as part of an online survey organised by the pressure group NewFIFANow and run by its co-founder and British parliamentarian Damian Collins.
Adamu surprised that ethics committee went after Blatter
November 30 – One of Africa’s most notorious footballing figures says he never believed Sepp Blatter would find himself sanctioned by his own ethics committee as part of the ongoing corruption crisis.
CONMEBOL backs Infantino, while players union tells Sexwale to do the hard yards
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – Without a presidential candidate of their own, the South American confederation CONMEBOL says it will back Gianni Infantino (pictured) to succeed Sepp Blatter in February’s ballot, an early indication of the support the current UEFA general secretary may receive in addition to his own European members.
Dr Laila Mintas: The first cut of FIFA’s reform taskforce is not deep enough
The FIFA Executive Committee decided in its meeting on 20 July 2015 to establish the ‘Task Force 2016 – FIFA Reform Committee’ (Reform Committee) which is currently working on its recommendations on how to change FIFA. The Reform Committee consists of 12 people, two appointed by each of the six FIFA Confederations and is chaired by Dr François Carrard. The Reform Committee will first present its proposal to the Executive Committee which will approve and submit it to the FIFA Congress where the 209 member associations will decide about it in February 2016.
News Analysis: Premier League clubs see matchday revenues drop, but stadiums full
By David Owen
November 30 – It looks increasingly likely that matchday revenues generated by Premier League clubs will be found to have fallen in 2014-15. With six English top-tier clubs having already reported, cumulative matchday revenue from all competitions is showing 6% down at just over £290 million.
Rangers battle to get Ashley off their back. Good luck with that
By Paul Nicholson
November 30 – Scottish giants Rangers are taking steps to rid themselves of the spectre of Mike Ashley, or at least his £5 million loan to the club via his leisure retailer Sports Direct.
Man Utd switches on to its 55m Indonesian fan base
November 30 – Manchester United has expanded its TV footprint into Indonesia with a multi-platform deal via SuperSoccer to distribute the channel for the first time in the country.
AFC exco backs Salman for FIFA presidency, as Bollywood prepares a welcome
By Paul Nicholson
November 27 – With the great and good of Asian football gathering in New Delhi in India for the annual Asian Football Awards, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee has given its backing to Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in his election campaign to become the next FIFA president.
Chelsea fuels commercial slate with £30m Carabao deal
November 27 – Chelsea have signed Thai energy drink company Carabao as a new principal partner and their first official training wear partner in a multi-year deal estimated at £30 million.
Liverpool think local with Foundation Day launch
November 27 – Liverpool, frequently derided by local Evertonian rivals for having its match day support flown in from Scandinavia, has launched a new community initiative with its first LFC Foundation Day to support the Club’s official charity.