USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
By Paul Nicholson
August 3 – The battle for Britain’s punters is well and truly on. Bookmaker William Hill has promised a social media onslaught to win customers after first half profits fell 7% to £93.5 million on turnover of £837 million. Meanwhile, rival Ladbrokes was setting up for this weekend’s start of the Championship season, becoming Sheffield United’s Official Stadium Betting partner.
By Paul Nicholson
August 2 – The expected ruling on whether former CONCACAF president and FIFA Vice President Jack Warner has been successful in blocking his extradition to the US has been postponed. This time to a date in September.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 2 – With the women’s European Championship reaching its climax, the international players union FIFPro has issued a sobering reminder of how hard it is for female footballers to make a living compared with some of their highly-paid male counterparts.
August 2 – Despite concerns over financial fair play, Barcelona forward Neymar’s world record €222 million transfer to Paris St-Germain has moved to the brink of completion after he was formally given permission to move according to Spanish and French reports.
August 2 – The majority shareholder of English Premier League club Arsenal, Stan Kroenke, often targeted by fans for the way he runs the club, is now under fire over a TV channel he owns which shows graphic footage of wildlife hunting.
August 2 – The vice-president of the Chinese Football Association says his country is going to need time to develop a credible national team after making mistakes “in the last 10 or 20 years.”
By Samindra Kunti
August 2 – New rules have been passed to allow Indian I-League clubs as many as six overseas players for the upcoming season. The aim is to raise the profile and the attractiveness of the struggling league.
August 1 – Whilst speculation intensifies over Cameroon’s ability to stage the 2019 African Cup of Nations without co-hosting, the Ivory Coast says it intends to go it alone for the 2021 finals.
August 2 – Sunderland, relegated from the Premier League last season but now gearing up for the Championship after a summer of aborted takeover talk, have turned back to business matters and signed UK bookmaker Coral as a club partner.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 1 – Angel Maria Villar, FIFA’s second most senior official until he quit last week after being arrested for suspected corruption, has been granted bail by a Spanish judge despite having previously been considered a flight risk.
By Paul Nicholson
August 1 – The acquisition of majority ownership of Premier League Southampton by Chinese construction business Lander Sports has hit a new roadblock, though it was probably always the same one.
August 1 – As expected, Cristiano Ronaldo protested his innocence when he made his highly anticipated court appearance outside Madrid to face accusations of evading €14.7 million in taxes.
August 1 – Manchester United have been charged with breaching anti-doping regulations following the Europa League final against Ajax in May with two of the club’s international players also punished.
August 1 – The growth of Futsal in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) region was re-emphasised as the AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017 drew to a close at the weekend with Bluewave Chonburi taking the title in Ho Chi Minh.
August 1 – The so-called ‘ABBA’ format for penalty shootouts will be used in all English Football League competitions from this coming season.