Schweinsteiger bullets look-a-like Chinese nazi doll
October 23 – German captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is reported to be considering taking legal action against a Hong Kong company making Nazi dolls that bear a striking resemblance to him.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Champagne uncorks FIFA bid with manifesto and ‘restoration’ promises
By Andrew Warshaw
October 23 – In a strategic move now that his nemesis faces being out of contention, former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne is having a second crack at the presidency – and this time says has the required level of support.
Pay TV misses out in UK as BBC and ITV to share Euros
October 23 – UK football pay tv broadcast giants Sky Sports and BT Sport have missed out on upcoming European summer TV football festival in France as the BBC and ITV have jointly secured the media rights to EURO 2016.
Scala to speak at IFA Conference in Zurich, November 19
By Paul Nicholson
October 23 – Domenico Scala, chairman of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee and ad hoc election committee, and the man behind the key set of reform recommendations that the February FIFA Congress will vote on, will be a speaker at the 17th edition of the International Football Arena (IFA) conference in Zurich, November 19.
Nine Romanian clubs face points losses and relegation for breaking money rules
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
October 23 – As many as nine out of the 14 clubs which compete in Romania’s top tier Liga 1 risk relegation due to their desperate financial positions, according to Viorel Duru (pictured), the director of the department of licencing at the Romanian Football Federation (FRF).
Russia 2018: October Island stadium gets OK but World Cup budgets kept tight
By Paul Nicholson
October 23 – Russia’s Ministry of Sports has agreed on the cost of construction for the Kalinigrad stadium, one of the last to start building. According to the Deputy Prime Minister of Kaliningrad region, Russia’s Ministry of Sports has agreed on the cost of construction for the Kalinigrad stadium, one of the last to start building. According to the Deputy Prime Minister of Kaliningrad region, Alexander Rolbinov, the cost should not exceed Ruble18.5 billion ($296 million).,
Andrew Warshaw: FIFA runners and riders jostle in the parade ring
The clock is ticking and the behind-the-scenes horsetrading is in full swing. But like a canny game of poker, nobody is revealing their hand until they are sure of their ground. With Monday night’s deadline for FIFA presidential candidates fast approaching, cards are being clasped tightly to chests in anticipation of who will emerge as challengers for Sepp Blatter’s crown.
Man City face sanctions after fans reported for booing Champions League anthem
By Mark Baber
October 22 – Disciplinary proceedings have been opened over Manchester City fans booing of the Champions League anthem ahead of their 2-1 win over Sevilla on Wednesday evening.
Dutch pass the ball to Henk Ten Cate after Euro2016 disaster
By Samindra Kunti
October 22 – The Dutch FA KNVB have appointed Henk Ten Cate as a special advisor to consider the future of Dutch football after a disastrous EURO2016 qualifying campaign that saw them fail to qualify for UEFA’s continental flagship event in France. They secured neither a top two finish or a play-off spot in their qualifying group.
Former Mons president faces prison over alleged misuse of cash subsidies
By Samindra Kunti
October 22 – The former president of Belgian club RAEC Mons, Domenico Leone, is facing criminal prosecution as justice suspect him of misappropriating subsidies from the local authorities of up €1.2 million.
Exclusive: Villar was lone voice opposing FIFA’s ‘name and shame’ vote
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Angel Villar Llona, the controversial FIFA vice-president on a new list of prominent officials facing possible sanction for corruption or wrongdoing, tried to block this week’s ground-breaking move that gave ethics investigators freedom to publish the names of those being probed.
CONCACAF axes Datisa smoothing path for Copa America 2016 in the US
By Paul Nicholson
October 22 – The day after CONCACAF announced their new Partner Code of Conduct to regulate and set protocols for working with outside partners, the confederation has revealed it is ending its relationship with Datisa, one of the sports marketing agencies at the centre of the bribery and money laundering scandals that have rocked football in the Americas.
Orlando grows its football footprint with NWSL expansion franchise
By Paul Nicholson
October 22 – The National Womens’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US has awarded a new franchise to Orlando Pride, owned and operated by Orlando City, itself a new franchise this season in the MLS.
FIFA confirms ethics probe into Beckenbauer and Villar, verdict due
By Andrew Warshaw
October 21 – Frank Beckenbauer and Angel Villar Ilona, two names that have repeatedly been mentioned in unsubstantiated reports about alleged wrongdoing during their time with FIFA, have both been formally investigated by the ethics committee and are awaiting verdicts.
AFC says no ‘done deal’ on marketing rights contract
By Paul Nicholson
October 21 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has released a statement rebutting reports that it has concluded an agreement with Lagardère Sports for an eight-year extension of their broadcast and marketing contract held via their World Sport Group agency.