FIFA rebukes ambassador Maradona for Colombia vs England refereeing comments
July 5 – FIFA has apologised on behalf of Diego Maradona for comments he made about the officiating in England’s last-16 World Cup tie against Colombia.
Why Manchester City and Nike are winning the World Cup
By David Owen
July 5 – Manchester City have more World Cup survivors at the quarter-final stage than any other club.
Betway scores hattrick of LaLiga shirt sponsorships with Deportivo Alavés deal
July 5 – Betway appears to be mopping up shirt sponsor deals in LaLiga. Deportivo Alavés has become the European bookmaker’s third Spanish club in a two-year deal.
Cannavaro’s Guangzhou Evergrande drop in for pop-up training camp with Austria Wien
July 4 – Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande, on a training visit to Europe, have joined Austria’s FK Austria Wien who are currently in pre-season preparations at their new Generali Arena.
Soccerex shifts winter trade show to Miami with Concacaf’s support
July 5 – Football trade show Soccerex has announced it is taking its main winter event, until this year generally held in Manchester, England, to Miami in the US, in partnership with regional confederation Concacaf.
Not big enough? Pekerman moans and moans and moans, a bit like a Colombian player
By Andrew Warshaw
July 4 – The hoodoo is over but not without considerable controversy. As England fans revel in World Cup progress after their team finally banished decades of heartbreaking penalty shootout eliminations in the most nail-biting of circumstances, Colombia’s coach has refused to go quietly.
UEFA investigation puts PSG back under FFP microscope
By Andrew Warshaw
July 4 – UEFA are to re-open their investigation into big-spending Paris St Germain, rekindling the threat of the Qatari-owned club being thrown out of Europe.
Mikel talks of father’s kidnapping in Nigeria and his decision to play against Argentina
July 4 – Nigerian captain John Obi Mikel has revealed how he played through his country’s crucial World Cup tie with Argentina knowing that his father had been kidnapped.
Amazon set to pounce on more European TV rights with LaLiga deal rumoured
July 4 – Amazon looks set to make another foray into the domestic European TV rights market, being rumoured to in line pick up the remaining rights packages for Spain’s LaLiga.
Former Nigerian coach Onigbinde says FIFA ban would be a ‘blessing in disguise’
July 4 – Former Nigerian coach Adegboye Onigbinde has advised the new leadership of the national federation under Chris Giwa not to be intimidated by any FIFA ban that might be imposed as a result of the current crisis.
Germany keep faith in Low despite Russia 2018 disaster
July 4 – Joachim Low is to stay on Germany’s manager despite their shock group stage exit from the World Cup.
Betway expands in Spain with 2-year Levante U.D. deal
July 4 – European on-line bookmaker Betway has agreed a second Spanish shirt sponsorship deal adding LaLiga’s Levante U.D. to their roster having agreed a deal with C.D. Leganés earlier this year.
Nigerian FA coup. Giwa gets government backing, forcing Pinnick back to FIFA for protection
By Andrew Warshaw
July 3 – No sooner has the national team returned from the World Cup after exiting at the group stage than Nigerian football has been plunged into crisis off the field over the presidency of the federation (NFF).
New launch LaBa360 rolls the dice with record sponsorship deal for Burnley
July 3 – Premier League Burnley have swapped main sponsor Dafabet for new launch gaming and betting brand LaBa360 in a record shirt sponsorship deal for the club.
One step at a time. Neymar’s theatrics overshadow Brazil’s win over Mexico
July 3 – As Brazil await a mouth-watering World Cup quarterfinal against Belgium, the focus of attention is once again on their mercurial striker Neymar – but not for the right reasons.