Foxtel pumps $20m into youth football in Australia
By Mark Baber
April 8 – Australian pay-TV network Foxtel has pledged $20 million over the next four years to support the development of youth football in Australia.
Asia
Al Serkal manifesto promises unity, transparency and crackdown on match-fixing
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent, in Dubai
April 8 – Against the backdrop of one of the world’s most famous racecourses, Asian Football Confederation presidential candidate Yousuf Al Serkal surged out of the blocks today and declared himself the best man to restore unity and transparency to the troubled region.
PepsiCo links up with Asian ‘Kick for Hope’ social development project
April 8 – PepsiCo, has entered into a one-year partnership with the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP) under the theme ‘Kick for Hope’ which will focus on India and 11 countries in the Middle East including the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Bollywood and Indian football struggle to find path to true love
By Mark Baber
April 5 – Whilst a football match last weekend between Bollywood AllStars and Cricket AllStars, won 4-3 by the cricketers raised money the Virat Kohli Charity Foundation, the involvement of the Bollywood superstars in popularising the game in India seems to be far more talk than action.
Salman supporters insist he has lead in AFC presidency race
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – Supporters of Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa insist he is emerging as the favourite to win the race to become the next President of the Asian Football Confederation.
Match officials pulled off AFC cup game charged over alleged sex bribes
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – Three Lebanese officials who were suddenly pulled out of an Asian Football Confederation cup game in Singapore have been charged over allegations of receiving sexual bribes in exchange for match-fixing, according to the country’s anti-corruption unit which acted on a tip-off.
Lebanese match officials pulled off AFC game at last minute
By Andrew Warshaw
April 4 – Lebanese football, already reeling from an ongoing match-fixing scandal, has suffered even more embarrassment after three of its officials were suddenly pulled out of taking charge of an AFC Cup game in Singapore.
Singapore and Vietnam gear up for 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup
April 4 – Singapore and Vietnam will be co-hosts for the AFF Suzuki Cup group stages in 2014, the region’s premier competition held every two years.
Al Serkal hits AFC campaign trail venturing into Makudi’s heartland
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
April 3 – Yousuf Al Serkal, one of the four contenders bidding to become the next Asian Football Confederation president, is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to snatch victory in next month’s election in Kuala Lumpur.
Indians look to Dubai for franchise investors in I-League
By Mark Baber
April 3 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is looking for investors interested in setting up new franchise clubs on the sub-continent to promote football as a sport in India and establish an international recognition for its I-league.
Al-Thawadi promises a bigger voice for Asia at football’s top table
By Andrew Warshaw
April 2 – The chief organiser of the 2022 Qatar World Cup insists he doesn’t need to win the upcoming vote for a place on the top table at FIFA simply so that he can “protect” the Gulf state’s right to stage the tournament.
Palestine gets $4.5m financial boost to build facilities
By Andrew Warshaw
April 2 – Palestinian football is to receive a major injection of support from FIFA as it strives to enhance its development despite continuing conflict and hardship in the war-torn region. FIFA are donating a $4.5m grant which Palestinian officials hope will change the global view of the area and promote football as a tool for change.
Japanese complain over laser treatment in Jordan
By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 – Japanese football chiefs have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over alleged dirty tricks during their shock World Cup qualifying loss to Jordan earlier this week.
Supporters reject sectarianism as Iraq host Syria in Baghdad
March 27 – Iraq defeated Syria 2-1 on Tuesday at the Shaab stadium in Baghdad in only the second time the stadium had been able to host an international fixture since the invasion in 2003.
Snakes in football, Indian venom-busters told to clean up game
By Mark Baber
March 27 – Mohun Bagan beat Pailan Arrows at the Kalyani Stadium on Sunday 3-2, in front of 5,000 spectators, blissfully ignorant of over a dozen poisonous serpents lingering nearby.