Breathing life into the World Cup: Is 40 really the new 32?
By Andrew Warshaw
October 4 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s plan to expand the World Cup finals to 40 teams has drawn a mixed reaction from Europe and Asia.
Cash-rich Gunners see profits take a hit
By David Owen
October 3 – Arsenal, the north London club whose French manager Arsène Wenger has just completed an extraordinary 20 years in the hot seat, have reported a sharp downturn in annual profits. The Gunners posted a pre-tax profit of just £2.9 million for the year to 31 May 2016 – down from a restated £18.2 million. Group turnover in the same period rose from £347.3 million to £356.5 million.
China tackles wall of western resistance as it puts football ambition top of agenda
By Andrew Warshaw
October 3 – Western criticism of China’s human rights record will not dissuade the country from pressing ahead with its bid to host the World Cup.
Aspire Summit kicks off in Amsterdam with focus on ‘higher’ performance
By Samindra Kunti
October 3 – The 2016 Aspire4Sport Congress & Exhibition opened in the Dutch capital Amsterdam today with key stakeholders in the game and performance specialists from clubs and federations around the world gathering at the summit with Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa delivering the keynote speech.
Juve and AC Milan line up for Italian Supercup in Doha
By Samindra Kunti in Amsterdam
October 3 – This year’s Italian Supercup between Juventus and AC Milan will be played in Doha, Qatar. The announcement was made at the Aspire4sport Global Summit on Football Performance & Science in Amsterdam today.
West Ham’s toxic fans turn Olympic stadium claret and blue again
October 3 – West Ham’s move into their new stadium has so far brought with it an ugly side that doesn’t seem to be clearing up. For the third time in four home matches West Ham fans clashed with opposition supporter, this time Middlesbrough fans.
West Ham women battle for a little equality, club in fight for control
October 4 – An English Premier League club has been accused of gender discrimination – by the chairman of its own ladies’ team. Stephen Hunt has launched a scathing attack on West Ham United and has lodged a formal complaint with the Football Association following a prolonged row over funding and facilities.
SHB renews with Man City and plans joint credit card launch
October 3 – Manchester City have extended their partnership with Vietnam’s Saigon Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB). The bank will continue as Manchester City’s Official Affinity Card Partner in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Rio government poised to bring management change at Maracanã
By David Owen
October 3 – Management of one of the world’s most iconic football stadia – Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã – looks set to change hands. Brazilian media reports state that the Government of Rio de Janeiro and the concessionaire of the venue, opened in 1950 and partly rebuilt ahead of the 2014 World Cup, are negotiating termination of the current management contract.
Soccerex founder Duncan Revie dies, aged 62
October 3 – Duncan Revie, son of former England manager Don Revie and founder of the Soccerex football business brand, has died aged 62 after a brief illness.
CAF ensures future African presidency will come from its ExCo family only
By Andrew Warshaw
September 30 – Issa Hayatou (pictured), the all-powerful, old-school and often controversial ruler of African football who was in temporary charge of FIFA until the election of Gianni Infantino, has won another significant victory in his bid to retain control of the region he has run for the last 28 years.
James Dostoyevsky: The morbid obesity of the mind
It only took three days for football’s most important news to disappear from the sports pages. It had never reached further than that to begin with. People are more interested in cats that perform ludicrous acts on the internet than giving a damn for the rampant racism that stares in our face every day. Everywhere.
Matt Scott: ‘Bung’ revelations are just grist to the media mill, not cause for regulation
“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” John Stuart Mill
Greed, egotism, immorality and corruption. These are the vices of which some of the highest-profile figures in English football have been accused as a result of the Daily Telegraph’s undercover exposé of the game. Quite rightly, people ask how can a nation such as ours,
USL boost attendance figures by massive 33%
September 30 – The third tier of US professional football is reporting an increase in attendances of 33% for the 2016. The figures show the boom in interest in the game is filtering through the whole football pyramid and is not confined to MLS teams or high-profile international friendlies between the world’s giant clubs.
French to take their football brand to China with opening of office
By Samindra Kunti
September 30 – The French FA, the FFF and the French Football League, the LFP, will open an office in China early 2017. The office will aim to brand French football.