LeSports test PPV model for Serie A in China
August 24 – Chinese broadcaster LeSports is testing the pay-per-view model on broadcasts of some of Italy’s Serie A matches in China.
Israeli police warn Celtic fans against flying Palestine flag at Hapoel UCL play-off
August 23 – Israeli police have pledged to crack down on any Celtic fans who display pro-Palestinian flags at tonight’s Champions League playoff second leg against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Pogba and Higuain transfer fees are in line with market trends, says report
August 23 – The huge amounts spent by Manchester United on Paul Pogba and Juventus on Gonzalo Higuain are in line with industry standards on transfer spend, according to analysis by Football Benchmark, the research division of KPMG’s sports practice.
Football takes gold in the Twitter Olympics
By David Owen
August 23 – Football has emerged with the gold medal in the Twitter Olympics, with Neymar Junior’s decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out against Germany generating more Tweets per minute than any other piece of Rio 2016 sporting action.
Nigerian row erupts over who took Japanese donor’s Olympic cash gift
August 23 – Nigerian football has been plunged into fresh controversy – and this time after celebrating a bronze medal in the Olympic men’s football tournament.
Minnows Dundalk swim upstream to challenge Europe’s big fish
By Andrew Warshaw
August 23 – There are plenty of fairytale footballing stories like Leicester City’s Premier League success and Wales’ rollercoaster ride at Euro 2016. But at European club level, few match that of tiny Dundalk in the Republic of Ireland.
US college coaches propose radical revamp of calendar to 10-month season
By Paul Nicholson
August 23 – The leading coaching body in the US is proposing a shake-up of the College calendar, turning it into a 10-month season rather than the currently compressed four month competition format.
Out with the new, in with the old? Is Allardyce really set to bring Terry back?
August 23 – England’s new manager Sam Allardyce is considering holding talks with former captain John Terry on a possible return to international football.
West Ham beat Man Utd to top attendance table but not all is bubbly at Olympic Park
By Paul Nicholson
August 23 – West Ham topped the attendance chart for Round 2 of the Premier League season in the first league fixture at their new 60,000 all-seat stadium. Well, almost all-seat.
Allardyce joins calls for British football politicos to end their Olympic politics
By Andrew Warshaw
August 22 – England manager Sam Allardyce has backed calls for an all-British team in future Olympic football tournaments after the short-sighted and backward decision not to enter teams for Rio.
Blatter confident in CAS appeal but avoids comment on Havelange years
By Andrew Warshaw
August 22 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he is confident of winning this week’s last-ditch appeal against his ban from the game, but that if he fails, he will not allow the rest of his life to suffer unduly.
Chinese line up £800m bid for Liverpool, but will FSG take the money?
August 22 – Liverpool could be the next Premier League club to come under Chinese ownership if a reported bid of £800 million is accepted by American owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
Hart’s Man City career looks over as Guardiola closes in on Barca’s Bravo
August 22 – The career of England goalkeeper Joe Hart is on the verge of a decisive turn after he was dropped by Manchester City’s new manager Pep Guardiola.
Thai broadcaster quick to extend AFC broadcast deal to 2020
August 22 – Thai broadcaster Bangkok Broadcasting & TV Co. (BBTV) has extended its deal with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for exclusive terrestrial broadcast rights from 2017 to 202 for AFC competitions.
Brazil turn gloom into glory with Olympic win that revived the nation
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
August 22 – Brazil won their desperately desired gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after a combustive and compelling 120 minutes of box-to-box football in the final at the Maracana against Germany. In a storyline that not even the most clichéd of writers would have dared to write, it was Neymar who delivered salvation from the penalty spot with the fifth and final kick of the shoot out.