Ronaldinho canned by Coke after Pepsi drinking blunder
By David Gold
July 13 – Ronaldinho’s troubled 2012 took a further turn for the worse this week as Coca-Cola dropped him after he drank a can of Pepsi during a press conference.
World Football
Blatter defends involvement in ISL bribery scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
July 12 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today mounted a staunch defence of his alleged role in the ISL bribery affair as his position as leader of world football’s governing body came under fresh scrutiny.
FIFA’s Prince Ali calls for more unity and solidarity within the AFC
By Andrew Warshaw
July 12 – FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan has urged the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to be more unified and pull eastern and western factions together.
Former FIFA President confirmed as having received massive kickbacks from FIFA’s former marketing partner
By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – The ISL corruption scandal that has tainted both world football’s governing body, FIFA, and its President, Sepp Blatter, for over a decade took a giant step forwards today when João Havelange, Blatter’s predecessor, and his former son-in-law, Ricardo Teixeira, were confirmed as having received millions of dollars in kickbacks from FIFA’s former marketing partner.
Al-Hasawi family complete Nottingham Forest takeover
By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – Yet another Middle East venture is investing in English football with the news that Nottingham Forest has been taken over by Kuwait’s Al-Hasawi family.
FIFA set to name new Ethics Committee chairmen as reforms continue
By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – The next stage in cleaning up FIFA after the most tarnished year in its history takes place next week when football’s world governing body appoints two figures who will play key roles in trying to banish corruption.
World Cup-winning captain Deschamps succeeds Blanc as France coach
By David Gold
July 9 – Didier Deschamps has been confirmed as the new coach of the French national team, taking over from Laurent Blanc.
Mancini tipped as new Russia coach
By Andrew Warshaw
July 9 – Reports from Russia and Italy say Roberto Mancini could quit his role as manager of Manchester City to take over the Russian national team on a six-year contract that would cover the period of the country hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Platini will learn to embrace goal-line technology, insists Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
July 9 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter believes his counterpart at UEFA, Michel Platini, will finally see the light and embrace goal-line technology.
Webb tight-lipped over plans for possible new tournament for North and South America
By Andrew Warshaw
July 8 – The new President of CONCACAF, Jeffrey Webb, is remaining coy over details of a possible joint tournament with CONMEBOL in 2016 that would pit together North and South America.
Former Israeli Minister takes over Hapoel Tel Aviv
By David Gold
July 7 – A former Israeli Health and Justice Minister, Haim Ramon, has taken over Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Besiktas’ misery continues as CAS uphold Europa League ban
By Andrew Warshaw
July 6 – The Court of Arbritation for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal by 13-time Turkish champions Besiktas against their exclusion from next season’s Europa League.
Mutko slams relaxed RFU rules on foreign players
By David Gold
July 6 – Vitaly Mutko, Russia’s Sports Minister, has hit out at the “irresponsible” decision to relax the rules over how many foreign players can play in the country’s Premier League.
Seedorf signs with Botafogo and becomes Brazil’s biggest earning foreign footballer
By David Gold
July 6 – Clarence Seedorf has become the highest paid foreigner in Brazilian football after signing for Rio de Janeiro outfit Botafogo.
Beckham faces one-match ban after confrontational behaviour
By David Gold
July 6 – A disappointing period for David Beckham has continued after he was banned by Major League Soccer (MLS) for one match after provoking a brawl during a league game.