AFC opens probe into suspicion of match-fixing at Asian Games in Incheon
October 3 – The Asian Football Confederation is looking into reports of possible match-fixing at the Asian Games.
Asia
Chinese move to boost technical know-how with new FIFA deal
By Mark Baber
September 26 – At a meeting at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Chinese Football Association Vice Chairman and Secretary-General Zhang Jian (pictured) and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke have signed a technical cooperation agreement aimed at improving the technical level of Chinese football coaches, referees, and managers, improving the national team at all levels of achievement, and promoting the development of youth and women’s soccer.
AFC suspends Tajikistan player for positive dope test at the Asian Games
September 25 – The 2014 World Cup in Brazil reported a doping-free championship, but the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has had to step in with a suspension following a positive test at the Asian games currently taking place in Incheon, South Korea.
Palestine, Iraq, South and North Korea and Indonesia riding high at Asian Games
By Mark Baber
September 18- Palestine, Iraq, South and North Korea and Indonesia men’s teams have all won both their opening matches at the Asian Games guaranteeing places in the round of 16 (bar a miracle in Iraq’s case) and, organisers hope, ensuring better ticket sales.
Big loss expected for FIFA sponsor Sony
By David Owen
September 17 – Sony Corporation, the Japanese consumer electronics group that is one of six FIFA top-tier sponsors, has announced that it will pay no dividend for its current financial year, for the first time since its shares were listed in 1958, the year of Brazil’s first World Cup victory.
China to dominate the Asian Games – but not the football
By Mark Baber
September 12 – China has finished top of the Asian Games medal table every year since 1990, and in the last edition in Guangzhou picked up 199 gold medals – three times as many as runners up South Korea, but Asia’s most populous country remains a rank outsider in the football.
Prince Ali declares to run again in Asia for seat at FIFA’s top table
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
September 11 – Three months after discovering that he will lose his position as Asia’s FIFA vice-president, Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan has come out fighting by announcing that he will stand for election as a member of FIFA’s executive committee next year.
Indian footballers escape Shanghai and head to Incheon for Asian Games
By Mark Baber
September 10 – The men’s and women’s Indian national teams for the Asian Games have finally been given the go-ahead to participate in the tournament, bringing to an end a nail-biting few days as Indian officials decided which sports would be cut from India’s contingent.
Red tape ties up Indian teams in danger of missing Asian Games
September 9 – India’s national men’s and women’s football teams, preparing for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, are stranded in a training camp in Shanghai, with the chances of them getting to the tournament diminishing by the hour as the Indian government dilly-dallies.
Victories for Myanmar and Palestine on final day of Peace Cup
By Mark Baber
September 8 – Myanmar won the third edition of the Peace Cup, defeating hosts Philippines with a 3-2 win in the final on Saturday, whilst Palestine, whose participation is a victory in itself, defeated Chinese Taipei 7-3 to take the bronze medal.
Jordan opt for Wilkins to take them to 2015 AFC Asian Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
September 3 – Although he is mainly known in football politics for being Asia’s FIFA vice-president and one of the game’s renowned modernists, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein is also head of Jordanian football and in an attempt to boost his country’s profile has turned to one of England’s most familiar faces to be its next national coach.
Australia bans live streaming for FFA Cup
By Mark Baber
August 28 – The inaugural edition of Australia’s FFA Cup has run into controversy as Football Federation Australia insist that no live streaming of games is allowed, even though only two games in the Round of 16 will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
Indians fear government may pull its football funding
August 27 – Cricket-crazy India may be one of the great untapped football markets but the vast country could be at risk of losing government funding before they head to next month’s Asian Games following the recent demoralising defeat to arch-rivals Pakistan.
Lippi banned from dugout for protest after Guangzhou have two sent off
August 25 – Marcello Lippi, Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning coach now in charge of China’s Guangzhou Evergrande, has been suspended for one game for confronting the referee during an AFC Champions League match.
Melbourne Knights take action to defend their Croatian identity
By Mark Baber
August 21 – Melbourne Knights have referred the Australian Football Federation’s (FFA) National Club Identity Policy to the Australian Human Rights commission after they were prevented from displaying three of their four kit sponsors for an FFA Cup match against Olympic FC.