Is MLS taking first steps to break the NCAA development bonds?
By Ben Nicholson
July 28 – The MLS has formed a partnership with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), making the school its exclusive education partner.
World Football
Brussels court boots TPO, slave traders and ‘loan sharks’ into touch
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – UEFA and FIFA are celebrating a landmark victory in their joint fight to outlaw Third Party Ownership (TPO) after a Brussels court threw out a legal case against them launched to try and overturn the worldwide ban on the practise.
Romania’s FC Botosani unveils €18m stadium expansion
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
July 27 – Two years after the side secured a promotion to Romania’s top tier Liga I, FC Botosani unveiled the design of its new stadium which is estimated to cost about €18 million. Under the plan, the stadium will be fitted with a seating capacity of at least 11,000.
Sacked Keshi hits Nigerian FA with $4m lawsuit
By Mark Baber
July 27 – Former Nigerian national team coach, Stephen Keshi, who was sacked by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) after his name came up in a list of applicants for the vacant Ivory Coast coaching job, is suing the NFF for more than $4 million in compensation, according to local reports.
Roma’s gladiators sent back from the gates of Indonesia
July 27 – Five Roma players were refused entry into Indonesia for a pre-season game and forced to fly home.
Twente given lifeline as Eredvisie OKs debt plan and clears club to play
By Samindra Kunti
July 27 – FC Twente will start the new Eredivisie without a points deduction or any other sanctions after the Dutch FA KNVB approved the club’s new plan to further reduce its debts.
Mexico secure seventh Gold Cup title as Reggae Boyz finally miss a beat
By Paul Nicholson
July 27 – Mexico won their seventh CONCACAF Gold Cup last night with a 3-1 win over the tournament’s surprise package Jamaica who made Gold Cup history by being the first team from the Caribbean to reach the final.
30,000+ football dope tests in 2014; less than one in 200 tested positive
By David Owen
July 27 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has released comprehensive statistics on anti-doping tests analysed by WADA-accredited laboratories in 2014.
Who ate all the pies? Aberdeen battles novel avian problem
By David Owen
July 25 – Things have been going well on the field of play for Scottish club Aberdeen of late, a second place finish in the Scottish Premiership last season entitling them to a slot in the qualifying phase of the 2015-16 Europa League.
Panama fury escalates as they now call for refs committee to resign
By Paul Nicholson
July 24 – The Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT), bitter at their semi-final loss in the Gold Cup to Mexico on Wednesday evening have escalated their public complaints, now calling for the resignation of the whole CONCACAF Referees Committee citing “insulting and shameful” refereeing. The demand was made in a statement on their website.
UEFA give Croatia Euro 2016 lifeline with soft sanction for swastika offence
July 24 – Croatia have been let off the hook and avoided being thrown out of Euro 2016 qualifying for racial discrimination, much to the relief of the entire country after the prime minister personally pleaded with UEFA president Michel Platini to show leniency.
Sheikh Ahmad ally becomes international swim federation heir apparent
By David Owen
July 23 – A close ally of FIFA Executive Committee (ExCo) member Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has been made heir apparent of the International Swimming Federation (FINA).
Bulgarian clubs fined in match-fixing clampdown
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 23 – Bulgaria’s Marek Dupnitsa have been fined BGN 210,000 (€105,000) by the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) disciplinary committee for match-fixing. The steep fine, in Bulgarian terms, is a hard hit for the club which was relegated from the top flight last season.
French civil war as federation rules out Ligue 1 plan to cut relegation spots
By Mark Baber
July 23 – The plan of French League (LFP) president Frederic Thiriez (pictured) to protect investors in Ligue 1 clubs by reducing the number of relegation and promotion places between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 to two up and two down hit a major obstacle today as the France Football Federation (FFF) annulled the move in its Executive Committee meeting.
Belgian court dismisses challenge to UEFA’s FFP
July 23 – UEFA is celebrating a landmark court ruling which it says justifies its policy of financial fair play. The European Court of Justice has dismissed a legal challenge to the system following a Belgian court’s request for a preliminary judgment.