FIFA warns Uganda of suspension if FUFA loses legal status
By Mark Baber
July 23 – FIFA has warned the Uganda Football Association (FUFA) against government interference which could lead to a worldwide football ban for the country.
World Football
English Premier League out in the cold over opposition to Winter 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
July 23 – The English Premier League’s opposition to a winter World Cup in Qatar is looking increasingly isolated after the head of the European Club Association, which represents over 200 clubs across the Continent, re-iterated his organisation’s support for switching the 2022 tournament from the searing heat of the summer.
FIFA lifts international ban as Cameroon acts to ‘normalise’
By Andrew Warshaw
July 23 – FIFA has lifted Cameroon’s suspension from world football, allowing the Indomitable Lions to play a key World Cup qualifier against Libya. FIFA imposed the ban on July 4, preventing Cameroon from taking part in all football activity after ruling that the government had interfered in the Cameroon Football Federation’s (Fecafoot) elections in June, breaching FIFA rules obliging member associations to manage their affairs independently.
Portuguese cash crisis forces unpaid players to ask union for money
By Gareth Messenger
July 23 – Delays in wage payments by cash-strapped football clubs in Portugal have forced dozens of players to ask their union for money, according to the head of the country’s players’ association.
Germany may bid for Euro 2024 if they are cut out of 2020
By Mark Baber
July 22 – German Football Federation (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach says Germany are considering a bid to host the European Championships in 2024 and doesn’t rule out a personal bid for the UEFA presidency if it becomes vacant.
Exclusive: Boyce backs Blatter’s call for Winter 2022
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
July 22 – Britain’s FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce (pictured) says he will support moving the 2022 Qatar World Cup to winter because it makes “common sense” for everyone involved, not least the players. Boyce is anxious to avoid getting into an argument with the English Premier League – which steadfastly opposes a winter tournament – but is backing FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s call for a switch.
Libyans ban Women’s team from playing at Berlin tournament
By Mark Baber
July 22 – The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has stopped its Women’s Team from participating in a tournament in Berlin, Germany, the organisers discovered as the team was due to fly in. The federation claims the reason behind the ban is to do with Ramadan, but the ban has been linked to threats and opposition to women’s football from Islamic extremists.
Madrid court forces Spanish federation to return training pitches
By Gareth Messenger
July 22 – Madrid’s High Court of Justice (TSJM) has confirmed the 2007 decision over the leasing of 120,000 sq m of land in 1998 by Las Rozas Town Hall to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), enforcing the return of the land to the local authority.
Fan bans relaxed as Maracana bows to supporter pressure
By Andrew Warshaw
July 22 – Brazilian authorities have backed down from a threat to ban shirtless and standing fans at the revamped Maracana stadium after the latest public outcry.
Costa Rica coach fined for insulting remarks
July 22 – Costa Rica head coach Jorge Luis Pinto (pictured) has been fined $5,000 by CONCACAF and warned about his future conduct following remarks he made during the Gold Cup.
Sky gets a stranglehold on Football League sponsorship and TV
By Mark Baber
July 19 – Sky Bet have picked up the title sponsorship for the Football League in a five year deal that will also see Sky Television extend its coverage of the Football League to a total of 148 live games per season from the 2015/2016 season onwards.
Euro court rules in favour of major championships on free TV
By Andrew Warshaw
July 19 – In a blow to the revenue-boosting hopes of FIFA and UEFA but a huge boost for fans without access to pay-tv, the European Court of Justice has ruled countries can insist on the World Cup and European Championship continuing to be made available on free-to-air channels.
Levski start stadium rebuild before Gazprom sponsor deal is completed
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 19 – Bulgarian club Levski has begun a large-scale reconstruction of its Georgi Asparuhov stadium in Sofia, although it has not yet formally signed a sponsorship agreement with Russian energy giant Gazprom that will significantly help fund the redevelopment.
Turkish clubs back into Euro draws, but still wait on full verdicts
By Andrew Warshaw
July 19 – In a move that will infuriate UEFA who banned them both over match-fixing allegations, Fenerbahce and Besiktas have won the right to have their names placed in Friday’s qualifying draws for the Champions League and Europa League after winning an emergency ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Spanish clubs cut ticket prices in bid to get the crowds back
By Gareth Messenger
July 19 – Spanish clubs have acted to halt the falling crowd attendancess by reducing prices for their season tickets. In the last five years, attendances have dropped by more than 7% – variously attributed to the Spanish economic crisis and the already high price of match tickets.