Germany top rankings, English plummet, Costa Rica and Holland rise
July 18 – World champions Germany as expected top the latest FIFA world rankings but England have slumped to their lowest position – 20th – for 18 years.
Europe
Rosberg FI helmet celebration knocked on the head
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – German Formula One driver Nico Rosberg has been forced to ditch plans to wear a specially designed helmet in celebration of his country’s World Cup triumph after FIFA said an image of the trophy would breach intellectual property rights.
Israeli teams barred from home European fixtures as security worsens
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – The increasingly dangerous military conflict in the Middle East has had an immediate impact on football with UEFA barring Israeli teams from playing European matches at home while the fighting between Israel and Hamas continues.
Legia Warsaw extends Pepsi deal to finance its Football Academy
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
July 17 – Legia Warsaw has extended its sponsorship with PepsiCo by a further three years. Under the deal, the company’s Gatorade brand will become the official sponsor of the Polish club’s Football Academy youth project.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Man Utd top Forbes sports teams value ranking
By Mark Baber
July 17 – Real Madrid tops the annual Forbes list of the world’s most valuable sports teams, for the second year in a row, with Barcelona and Manchester United swapping places from last year in second and third place respectively.
Barca confirm that Suarez is now theirs, 100%, as CAS appeal decision awaited
By Andrew Warshaw
July 17 – Barcelona have announced that Luis Suarez is now “100 percent” their player even though they cannot officially unveil the £75 million striker because of his FIFA ban for biting at the World Cup.
Lens lose promotion appeal as they wait for €10m cash infusion
July 16- Lens’s eagerly awaited promotion to Ligue 1 in France is still being delayed after an appeal commission upheld a ruling banning them from joining the French top flight on financial grounds.
The French Football Federation’s appeals body said in a statement they had “confirmed” the sanction imposed last month by the League’s National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG).
Juve legend Conte quits amid rumours he is headed for national team duty
July 16 – Just months after Juventus coach Antonio Conte led the club to a third consecutive Serie A title – the first time that has happened since the 1930s – he has suddenly walked out, leading to speculation that he is about to take over the national team.
Triumphant Germans welcomed home and promise there is hunger for 2016 Euros
July 16 – Huge crowds turned out in Berlin to welcome home Germany’s World Cup-winning team after their fourth triumph and their first, symbolically, since re-unification between east and west.
Poland’s Korona Kielce swaps Adidas for Hummel as kit sponsor
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
July 16 – Korona Kielce has unveiled its new squad shirt for the 2014/2015 season, following the signing of a new technical sponsorship contract with Hummel. The German brand will replace German rival Adidas.
Fan group take ownership at Lokomotiv Plovdiv, new sponsor needed
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 16 – The owner of Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Plovdiv Konstantin Dinev (pictured) is to transfer his shares in the club to a supporters group who will not only take over ownership but also the day-to-day running of the business and playing departments.
Adidas to stand by Suárez, but FIFA block his Barcelona welcome
By Mark Baber
July 14 – FIFA have confirmed that Luis Suárez cannot participate in an unveiling event at Barcelona as, “he cannot be in a football-related event irrespective of venue.” Meanwhile Adidas, his main sponsor, look likely to stick with the player.
Serbs hold talks on privatisation of Partizan and Red Star Belgrade
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
July 11 – Serbian Minister of Youth and Sports Vanja Udovicic has held discussion with the management of the country’s leading football sides Partizan Belgrade and Red Star Belgrade on the possible privatisation of the state-owned clubs.
CSKA line up second attempt at public listing on Bulgarian stockmarket
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 11 – CSKA Sofia is to have a second attempt at launching on the Bulgarian stock exchange. The club has said that a second public offering of shares is being prepared and that more details will be made available at a general meeting of the board later this month.
Macron expands into Bulgaria with Ludogorets deal
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 10 – Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad have signed a new kit deal with Italian sports apparel firm Macron replacing German giants Adidas as main technical sponsor. The sponsorship is for three years and starts from the 2014/2015 season.