Platini has first stage of ethics appeal rejected
October 27 – As anticipated, Michel Platini’s appeal against his 90-day suspension has not got off to the best of starts, with the first of many stages in the process thrown out.
News
MLS ranks 7th in world leagues after record breaking crowds show 12.7% uplift
By Ben Nicholson
October 27 – The MLS has broken its season long average attendance records, improving on last year’s mark by 12.7%. The league’s growing visibility overseas upon acquisition of ageing legends has had a positive domestic influence, as evidenced by the total 7,335,053 attendance for the year.
Minnesota United picks St Paul site for its new MLS home
By Ben Nicholson
October 27 – Minnesota United FC has announced its intention to make St. Paul its home. After competing with Minneapolis to provide domicile to the MLS expansion franchise, the team owner, Bill McGuire, and St. Paul Mayor, Chris Coleman, announced that its 20,000-capacity soccer-specific stadium is destined for the Snelling-Midway redevelopment site in St. Paul.
Pools man ticks all the right boxes to win top financial job at Man Utd
By David Owen
October 26 – Manchester United, the top English football brand still struggling to re-establish its former dominance of the Premier League under Louis van Gaal, its Dutch coach, has named a new chief financial officer with much experience in the betting industry.
Chung pulls out of FIFA race but despite ban promises this isn’t the end
October 27 – South Korea’s Chung Mong-Joon has officially pulled out of the race for FIFA presidency as he conceded defeat in the wake of his six-year ban from football as a result of his conduct during the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Copa América organisers issue RFP to marketing agencies
By Paul Nicholson
October 27 – CONCACAF and CONMEBOL have moved swiftly to source new marketing partners for the Copa América Centenario 2016 following the announcement that agreement had been reached last week with the US federation to host in the US.
UEFA take back-up option and put Infantino into FIFA presidential race
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Europe have got the back-up FIFA presidential candidate they were desperate for, with UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino opting to do Michel Platini’s bidding despite assuring anyone who would listen only 10 days ago that there was no plan B in the race to succeed Sepp Blatter.
German bosses did know of €6.7m slush fund, says Zwanziger
October 26 – Pressure is growing on ethics investigators to take action against German organisers of the 2006 World Cup after allegations that a €6.7 million euro slush fund was set up to buy votes ahead of the ballot.
Manchester’s Etihad Stadium complex to get UCFB campus
By Mark Baber
October 26 – The University College of Football Business (UCFB) has announced that it is setting up a new campus at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, adding to its existing facilities at Wembley Stadium and Turf Moor.
Salman becomes sixth entry into the FIFA presidency race
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Seizing his chance now that his own previous preference, Michel Platini, could be ruled out of the running, Asian football supremo Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has formally entered the race to become FIFA president.
Fit for 90 joins US Club Soccer platform as official player monitoring partner
October 26 – US Club Soccer has named Fit for 90 as its Official Player Monitoring System, integrating it into its Players First platform that is designed to give players an improved club experience.
US takes lead as Copa Centenario 2016 back on, but on Uncle Sam’s terms
By Paul Nicholson
October 26 – After a week of clearing out existing sports agencies, the 2016 Copa America Centenario will take place in the US with the US federation effectively taking central control of the tournament from marketing rights to ground selection.
Wearable technology pioneer takes game data analysis to next level
By Ben Nicholson
October 26 – As the date nears for companies to present their electronic performance and tracking systems to IFAB and FIFA, Insideworldfootball has spoken to wearable technology market pioneers Catapult about how far the technology can inform decision-making, including in-game, how it can be used generally, and what FIFA/IFAB are looking for.
La Liga preps for €3bn domestic TV rights bonanza
By David Owen
October 26 – Spain’s La Liga is expected soon to start the process of selling domestic broadcasting rights for the next three seasons, in a move it hopes will drive up value by some 50% from the €600 million realised for 2015-16. El País, the much-respected newspaper, has suggested that an auction of these rights for the 2016-17 to 2018-19 period is likely before the end of the year. Spain moved recently to the same collective selling model as that utilised by other leading European football leagues.
Sexwale joins the race to take the FIFA throne
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Tokyo Sexwale, the South African former political prisoner turned successful businessman, has finally confirmed he is standing for FIFA president and will prove a popular choice among those who have been campaigning for an independent candidate untarnished by footballing corruption.