Ronaldo in Madrid court accused of €14.7m tax evasion
July 31 – Cristiano Ronaldo was due to appear in a Spanish court later today, accused of evading millions of Euros in tax.
Obituary: László Ürge – the man they called Les Murray (1945-2017)
July 31 – Few people were more knowledgeable about football and Australian football in particular than Lászó Ürge who changed his name to Les Murray when people were unable to pronounce or spell it in his second home, Australia.
Two fans die in stampede as SA’s Pirates vs Chiefs clash again ends in tragedy
July 31 – Two fans died and several were injured in a domestic South African pre-season friendly at the weekend at the stadium that hosted the 2010 World Cup final.
Finalists line-up for FIFA Interactive World Cup finals in London
July 31 – Eight more qualifiers have made their way through to the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final to be held in London August 15-17.
Greek FA set to return to home rule, but only under FIFA’s watchful eye
By Paul Nicholson
July 27 – The chaos of Greek football might be resolving with long awaited federation elections on August 18 and the removal of the normalisation committee imposed by FIFA, but the Greeks will not be left completely on their own.
AFCON muscles flexed as Cameroon and Kenya put under pressure by CAF
By Andrew Warshaw
July 28 – Cameroon have again come out fighting over suggestions they will be unable to stage the African Cup of Nations in 2019 when the tournament is expanded to 24 teams.
Chelsea look to banks to secure £500m loan for stadium rebuild
July 28 – Chelsea have opened discussions with banks about loan finance to rebuild their Stamford Bridge stadium. The stadium is estimated to cost £500 million to rebuild, but like Tottenham Hotspur’s rebuild of White Hart Lane, that cost is expected to rise.
Women’s Euros sets up England vs France quarter final clash as Germany march on
July 28 – England laboured to victory over Portugal at the women’s Euro 2017 in the final group games on Thursday, setting up an intriguing quarter-final against rivals France. Hosts the Netherlands and favourites Germany also progressed to the last eight.
Police chief faces manslaughter charges over Hillsborough disaster
July 28 – Three separate trials are anticipated for the prosecution of the six men facing charges over the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster.
Matt Scott: £50m footballers are two a penny – but we have been there before
“We must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering for our own ease and convenience the precious resources of tomorrow.” Dwight D Eisenhower
As the Supreme Commander of the allies’ war effort in the European theatre during World War Two who went on to become president, ‘Ike’ knew a bit about budgets. He was fortunate as the 34th President of the US to lead the world’s biggest economy during rampant boom time,
Arsenal drive deeper into China with expanded BNN Technology deal
July 28 – Arsenal have extended their partnership with China-based technology provider BNN Technology through to the end of the 2019/20 season.
Players union FIFPro wants Chinese association to guard players’ rights
July 28 – The world players’ union FIFPro wants to create a member association in China amid concerns about overdue payments.
Aussie clubs keep pressure on FFA demanding opening of 2022 bid accounts
July 28 – Australia’s leading clubs are demanding that the country’s FA (Football Federation Australia) opens its books to disclose the financial records surrounding the failed 2022 World Cup bid.
Jailed Villar quits VP roles at FIFA and UEFA. Larrea steps up in Spain
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – The career of Angel Maria Villar, one of the last remaining members of football’s political old guard who somehow managed to maintain his status while friends and colleagues were being swallowed up by scandal, is now effectively over after the seemingly untouchable lawyer resigned as vice-president of FIFA and UEFA.
Morocco set to bid for 2026 World Cup with 100% support of Africa
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – Morocco have decided to gamble once again and take on the joint might of north America and Mexico in a bid to host the 2026 World Cup, according to leading Confederation of African Football (CAF) official Amaju Pinnick.