Anelka buys Belgian club Ath as he moves towards coaching
By Samindra Kunti
July 20 – In a surprise move former France international Nicolas Anelka has bought Ath, a Belgian fourth division club on the brink of extinction.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Webb pleads not guilty to corruption charges in Brooklyn court
By Paul Nicholson
July 20 – Jeffrey Webb, the former CONCACAF president and FIFA vice president arrested with six others in Zurich at the end of May, pleaded not guilty on Saturday to charges that he had solicited bribes in return for the award of marketing rights to CONCACAF football properties.
MLS players agree wage rises through to 2019
By Ben Nicholson
July 20 – MLS players have overwhelmingly ratified the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) through 2019 with a 91% vote in favor, putting behind them the disagreements over the terms that threatened to delay the start of the 2015 season.
Coke and McDonald’s demand reform for a healthier FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – As FIFA’s executive committee gather in Zurich to discuss dates for the presidential election, Coca-Cola have called on football’s world governing body to reform itself and bring in independent specialists to oversee its future conduct and help restore trust.
FIFA chiefs head for Zurich for crucial presidential powwow
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
July 20 – Just under two months after the bombshell that fell on FIFA, its top brass on Monday choose a date to replace Sepp Blatter as president – and also to finally discuss concrete reform ideas which the veteran Swiss is determined to help firm up before he steps down.
Iranian football at a crossroads as sanctions due to be lifted
By Mark Baber
July 17 – With Iran, the US, Europe and Russia having reached an historic settlement of the nuclear issue the lifting of economic sanctions and the reintegration of the Islamic Republic into the global economy is likely to transform the fortunes of Iranian football, one way or another.
Russia 2018 without Brazil? CBF to form ‘think-tank’ to put team right
By Ricardo Setyon
July 17 – Brazil’s failure and early exit from the Copa America has prompted even more soul searching in-country, with commentators fearing that on current performance the team will not qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. A real possibility as their quarter final exit in Chile would not rank them in the qualifying slots.
FIFA turns to ‘connected’ US trouble-shooters for crisis help
July 17 – Just weeks after parting company with communications chief Walter de Gregorio, FIFA has hired renowned New York-based communications and trouble-shooting firm, Teneo, to try and improve its damaged image in the wake of the two ongoing criminal investigations into the conduct of its officials.
CBF hooked on 30-year drug sponsorship deal
By Samindra Kunti
July 17 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has signed a 30-year sponsorship deal with Ultrafarma, a pharmaceutical service provider with a large network of drugstores.
Critics slam English FA for Mackay discrimination case whitewash
July 17 – A case involving alleged anti-semitism, sexism and homophobia and which lasted 11 months has finally been resolved, though with an immediate backlash, after English football authorities announced no disciplinary action will be taken against former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay.
Caribbean storm sweeps across Gold Cup with disturbing force
By Paul Nicholson
July 17 – An unexpected Caribbean hurricane has swept through the group stages of the Gold Cup in the US, and it has nothing to do with sports politics or financial corruption.
FIFA to stop World Cup bidders splashing cash in ‘development’ projects
By Andrew Warshaw
July 17 – Future World Cup bidders will be banned by FIFA from funding overseas development programmes in an attempt to put an end to the kind of vote-trading shenanigans that have plagued recent ballots.
Liverpool players grounded for kit launch, but Fowler dropped from a height
By Paul Nicholson
July 17 – Liverpool took the opportunity of the Australian leg of the club’s pre-season tour to launch their new away kit, the first away kit with New Balance. While current players Simon Mignolet, Martin Skrtel and new signing James Milner modeled the kit in King George Square in Brisbane, club legend Robbie Fowler was launched from a light aircraft wearing the Reds’ new white jersey.
Bulgarian sports ministry to pump cash into club academies
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 17 – The Ministry of Youth and Sports in Bulgaria has committed to allocating substantially increased funds to club youth academies in 2016. The announcement was made by Bulgarian sports minister Krassen Kralev (pictured) who outlined what would the subsidies for the Bulgarian Football Union would be for the new season.
Real Madrid cling on to top spot as world’s Most Valuable Sports Team
By Mark Baber
July 16 – Real Madrid has retained the top spot as the world’s most valuable sports franchise, worth $3.26 billion, in the 2015 edition of Forbes’ annual list of the World’s Most Valuable Sports Teams.