Video ref trialled in first pro league game in the US
August 15 – Trials of the video assistant referee system (VAR)has continued in the US with the third tier USL league, working in collaboration with Major League Soccer (MLS).
Stoke take on KingFut to build on Sobhi arrival and Arabic interest
August 15 – Premier League Stoke City has stepped up its push into Arabic markets with the appointment of KingFut as the club’s official digital media partner.
Exclusive: Banned Mayne-Nicholls furious at FIFA justice’s double-standards
By Andrew Warshaw
August 12 – Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the former Chilean FA boss who led the FIFA evaluation team for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, has broken his long silence over his ban from the game, accusing FIFA of double-standards and of blocking his attempts to gain justice.
Charlton act to censor fan on social media with season ticket ban threat
August 12 – Charlton Athletic (CAFC), relegated to England’s third tier Division 1 with a cacophony of complaint from its fans last season, has acted to control the social media agenda by threatening a fan to withhold his season ticket unless he stops posting aggressively about the club’s ownership.
From terrorising defences to terror suspect. Turkey issue arrest warrant for Sukur
August 12 – An arrest warrant has been issued in Turkey for former international striker Hakan Sukur as part of the investigation into the failed July 15 coup. Houses in Istanbul and Sakarya were raided but Sukur is understood to be living in the US.
Crystal Palace toast new season with New Amsterdam Vodka sponsorship
August 12 – Premier League Crystal Palace have added a third new sponsor partner in time for the start of the season this weekend. New Amsterdam Vodka has become the club’s Official Vodka Partner.
Russia hope Cherchesov will inject winning ways in time for 2018 showcase
August 12 – Russia’s search for a winning national coach to prepare the team for the 2018 World Cup has ended with the appointment for former international goalkeeper Stanislav Cherchesov (pictured).
Chinese hire Fassone to lead AC Milan in new era
August 12 – The Chinese buyers of Italy’s AC Milan have named Marco Fassone, former Juventus and Inter Milan general manager, as chief executive once their takeover has gone through.
Watershed moment. Lineker misses Olympics to present MoD in his pants?
August 12 – Will he stick to his promise? Halfway through last season, as Leicester City, 5000 to 1 outsiders at the start of the campaign, looked like they might win the English Premier League title, former England striker and BBC television presenter Gary Lineker boldly proclaimed that he would appear in his underpants at the start of this season’s campaign if his beloved Foxes somehow went go all the way.
Tempobet bank on Man City to drive Asia-Pacific expansion
August 12 – Another Premier League club has announced an Asia-Pacific regional betting sponsorship. Online sportsbook Tempobet has become an Official Regional Betting Partner of Manchester City.
FIFA Ethics is investigating Del Nero, and Infantino was just meeting clubs…
By Andrew Warshaw
August 11 – Just days after he was controversially cleared by FIFA’s ethics committee of any wrongdoing, Gianni Infantino has been plunged into yet more embarrassment over his pledge to clean up the organisation in the wake of the Sepp Blatter regime.
OGC Nice pay tribute to 85 victims with commemorative shirt
August 11 – Ligue 1 side OGC Nice will open their season on Sunday wearing a special kit to honour the victims of the Nice terror attack last month.
Brazil back on track for Olympic glory with pool topping win. Argentina crash out
August 11 – Just when the crunch came, Brazil delivered. After being booed off twice in a row following goalless draws against South Africa and Iraq, Brazil’s Olympic squad finally found their scoring touch as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Denmark that not only ensured survival but also clinched top spot in Group A and a quarter-final against Colombia in Sao Paulo on Saturday.
Samoura lined up for UK debut with Soccerex keynote
By Andrew Warshaw
August 11 – FIFA has confirmed that new Secretary General, Fatma Samoura will deliver a keynote address as part of the opening of this year’s Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester at the end of September.
FIFA Diversity Award to recognise outstanding contribution
August 11 – While FIFA’s Anti-discrimination task force seems to have been consigned to the backburner of projects the governing body doesn’t really know what to do about (not unlike the its former chair Jeffrey Webb who is under house arrest in the US), the Zurich mandarins have announced an awards ceremony to cover what is still one of the most contentious issues in world football.