More than they can chew: Romero and Ceren banned for biting US players
July 24 – El Salvador defender Henry Romero has received a six-game ban after biting USA striker Jozy Altidore during their Gold Cup quarter-final.
World Football
Ghana FA reacts fiercely to ‘maliciously false’ reports of disappearing Puma cash
July 21 – The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has reacted swiftly to accusations that money from Puma’s kit deal has not been accounted for through the federation’s accounts, saying that the reports are “maliciously false, calculated to cause damage to the reputation of the GFA and (GFA president) Mr Nyantakyi.”
CAF add teams, revamp calendar and switch AFCON to June date from 2019
July 21 – African football chiefs have rubber-stamped the biggest ever overhaul to the Continent’s showpiece competition by agreeing to switch the African Nations Cup from its traditional January date to June and expand the finals to 24 teams – starting with the next edition in 2019 in Cameroon.
Africa’s expanded 24-team AFCON showcase to switch play from January to June
By Andrew Warshaw
July 20 – The biennial club-versus-country row that has dogged African football’s major competition looks set to end after a landmark decision to switch the African Cup of Nations from January to June.
Kraft to chair North American 2026 World Cup bid
July 20 – Robert Kraft (pictured), owner of Super Bowl champions New England Patriots but, more significantly, a key player in the growth of soccer in the United States, has been named honorary chairman of the board for the joint 2026 World Cup bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Cameroon dismiss talk of moving AFCON 2019 saying they are ready to host
July 20 – Cameroon has been quick to re-assure African football leaders that it is fully capable of staging the 2019 African Cup of Nations with the necessary government backing.
Senegal suspends Union Sportive Ouakam club as country mourns stadium deaths
July 20 – With the country still in mourning, Senegal’s Union Sportive Ouakam club has been suspended by the national federation for its role in last weekend’s stadium disaster.
FIFpro says Africa has improved its record on player pay and conditions
July 20 – The international players union FIFpro says unions in Africa have started to achieve “clear improvements” in the welfare of thousands of players.
Honduras to host 8-team CONCACAF Futsal Club Championships
July 20 – Honduras will host the second CONCACAF Futsal Club Championship this August 21-26.
ICC opens its US summer season with Roma vs PSG ahead of the Manchester derby
July 19 – Tonight the fifth edition of the International Champions Cup (ICC) kicks off in Detroit, USA, with Roma playing Paris St Germain. Tomorrow Manchester City and United replicate their local derby in Houston. The ICC may lack more than a little sporting integrity but it does deliver the biggest club names.
Rangers’ €7,000 paper balls-up; Celtic players get over incited
July 18 – Rangers have been fined €7,000 by UEFA for throwing balls of paper on to the pitch during their Europa League tie against Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn.
Unpaid Italian coaches forced out of Trinidad as questions mount over TTFA monies
By Paul Nicholson
July 18 – Trinidad and Tobago FA president David John-Williams who two weeks caught the ire of his members at the federation’s extra ordinary general meeting, this week could be facing a $600,000 plus lawsuit for failing to pay the Italian coaches of its women’s team.
Spanish FA president Villar arrested in anti-corruption swoop on RFEF headquarters
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – Who says the crisis at FIFA is over? Angel Maria Villar, FIFA’s senior vice-president and one of the last surviving members of the organisation’s old guard, has been sensationally arrested in his native Spain along with his son in an anti-corruption raid carried out by Spanish authorities.
Africa to debate shifting its AFCON showcase from Jan to June
July 18 – A new future for African football could be about to be plotted if a two-day symposium this week, followed by an extraordinary general assembly, agrees to change the format of the continent’s top regional competition.
Morocco says it is ready to stand in for 2019 AFCON if Cameroon drop out
By Andrew Warshaw
July 17 – Having missed out numerous times on hosting the World Cup, Morocco says it is ready to take over from Cameroon in staging the 2019 African Cup of Nations “in case of lack of capacity”.