Buckley to step down as FFA chief
By David Gold
August 21 – Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive Ben Buckley will leave his role following the conclusion of negotiations for a new broadcast deal.
News
Lord Nimmo Smith to chair Rangers SPL tax avoidance investigation
By David Gold
August 20 – Lord Nimmo Smith has been appointed to chair a Scottish Premier League (SPL) inquiry into player payments at fallen giants Glasgow Rangers.
Anorthosis Famagusta thrown out of Europa league after crowd trouble
By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – Anorthosis Famagusta have been thrown out of this season’s Europa League after crowd trouble forced the abandonment of their home game against Dila Gori at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca.
Malta’s Sammut receives 10-year ban for match-fixing
By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – The continuing fight against match-fixing has snared yet another alleged offender with UEFA banning Maltese international Kevin Sammut for 10 years, effectively spelling the end of the 31-year-old’s career.
Manchester United signs new deal with betting company bwin
By David Gold
August 20 – European sports bookmaker bwin has announced a partnership with Premier League giants Manchester United.
Ferdinand fined for Twitter “choc ice” comments
By David Gold
August 20 – Rio Ferdinand has been fined £45,000 ($70,000/€57,000) by the English Football Association (FA) for comments on the social networking site Twitter.
Warner palms away accusations after being linked with mystery Qatar cheque
By Andrew Warshaw
August 19 – Scandal-tarnished former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has claimed he has no case to answer after being linked in his homeland with a £250,000 ($392,000/€318,000) cheque he allegedly received from Qatar while involved with world football’s governing body.
Bin Hammam foiled further in attempts to prove innocence as suspension is extended
By Andrew Warshaw
August 19 – Mohamed Bin Hammam’s efforts to clear his name hit the buffers once again today when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) extended a provisional suspension of its former President by another 20 days while it continues to investigate allegations of financial wrongdoing when he was in charge.
Joeys head to Bolivia for altitude training
By David Gold
August 19 – Australia’s youngsters are travelling to Bolivia to get used to playing at altitude before they start their World Cup qualifying campaign next month.
World Cup star Beckenbauer to help Kaliningrad bid for Russia 2018 host city status
By David Gold
August 18 – Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup with Germany as both a player and manager, is to help Kaliningrad’s bid to host matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Jahović hit with 10-match ban after threatening to kill referee
By David Gold
August 17 – Macedonian forward Adis Jahović has been given a 10-match ban by the Swiss Football League after telling a referee “if I see you after, I will kill you”.
Israel team faced “severe threat” of attack following Hungary friendly
By David Gold
August 17 – Israel’s national team were forced to use a decoy bus when leaving the Ferenc Puskás Stadium in Budapest after facing Hungary in a friendly this week.
Muamba announces retirement
By David Gold
August 17 – Fabrice Muamba has announced his retirement from football, months after miraculously surviving a heart attack during an English FA Cup tie.
Pitch International signs ten-year deal for Brazil’s friendlies
By David Gold
August 17 – Pitch International has agreed an exclusive deal with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to organise and promote the national team’s friendly games for the next decade.
Park Jong-Woo to be exempt from military service despite FIFA probe
By David Gold
August 16 – The South Korean player who unfurled a controversial sign supporting the country’s claim to sovereignty over the disputed Dokdo islands will continue to be exempt from military service despite being barred from collecting his Olympic bronze medal.