Olympic opener gives SA women opportunity to push on
August 3 – When South Africa’s women footballers kick off the Rio Olympics later today, it will represent another crucial step in the long struggle for recognition back home.
Jordaan lawyers up as rumours grow he is on US arrest list
By Andrew Warshaw
August 3 – An exclusive South African report has revealed that Danny Jordaan, the public face of the 2010 World Cup, has hired an elite set of lawyers to defend him in the ongoing FIFA corruption scandal.
William Hill adds Spurs to Everton as it builds pre-season betting partners
August 3 – Tottenham Hotspur have announced William Hill as their Official Betting Partner for Europe and Australia in an initial two-year deal starting with the 2016/17 season. On Monday the bookmaker announced a similar deal with Everton.
Facebook edges closer to Premier League with Man Utd and Rooney
By Paul Nicholson
August 3 – Any doubts that Facebook wasn’t preparing a major broadcast assault in the world’s biggest sport can be dispelled with the social media giant tonight making Premier League history with the streaming of a Wayne Rooney’s testimonial match.
All you need is love. But Lennon doesn’t find any at UEFA
August 3 – Hibernian manager Neil Lennon has been slapped with a five-match European touchline ban by UEFA after he was sent to the stands in the club’s recent Europa League loss to Brondby.
Hull Tigers eye-up Wales’ Coleman but told to keep claws off
August 3 – Newly promoted Hull City have had an approach to speak to Wales manager Chris Coleman about their managerial vacancy rejected by the Football Association of Wales.
News analysis: Why China’s ban on betting is a Lose-Lose solution
By Nan Sato, Shimin Law
The Communist government in China has long had an uncomfortable relationship with gambling, but the mounting interest in sports betting may make the country’s leaders rethink some of its policies.
New Argentine boss wants Messi back for crucial World Cup qualifiers
August 2 – Argentina’s new national coach Edgardo Bauza has made it a priority to try and persuade Lionel Messi to come out of international retirement as he starts to think about next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Women provide Olympic warm-up as Brazil set to take challenge to US
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
August 2 – The Women’s football tournament will kick off competition at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games tomorrow with six matches across three venues in Rio, Sao Paulo and Mineirao. The official games opening ceremony takes place two days later in the Maracanã Stadium.
Fragile peace: Palestine Cup back on as Israel relents to allow players into West Bank
By Andrew Warshaw
August 2 – Israeli authorities have finally relented and reversed a ban on six Palestinian footballers after initially refusing them entry to the occupied West Bank to play the decisive second leg of the Palestine Cup final.
Brunei U14 festival closes with bright hopes for Asian football
August 2 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-14 Regional Festival of Football for the ASEAN zone concluded in the Brunei capital on Saturday.
CAS rules in favour of Plaku; FIFPro says he is tip of abuse ice-berg
August 2 – He claimed he was forced to work 14 hours a day, often with no meal breaks, fined thousands of Euros if he was late for training by even 30 seconds and spend hours on end standing in the city centre selling newspapers.
USL sets rapid expansion pace adding games, teams and promising a new division
August 2 – The fast expanding United Soccer League (USL), part of the professional tier of US football below the MLS, will play a longer season in 2017. The league that starts matches at the end of March will now run for 30 weeks with teams playing 32 games.
Univision steps up Scotiabank Champions League coverage to all games, live
August 2 – With the first round of Scotiabank Champions League fixtures kicking off the 2016-17 season tonight with Trinidad’s Central at home to Canada’s Vancouver Whitecaps and Mexico’s Pachuca at home to Honduras’ Olympia, CONCACAF has announced a significantly expanded Spanish-language TV deal in the US with Univision.
Palestinian Cup delayed after West Bank border trouble at Israeli checkpoints
By Andrew Warshaw
August 1 – Tensions between Israeli and Palestinian football authorities have seriously escalated after the final of the Palestine Cup, one of the most important fixtures in the region, was postponed by two days on Saturday when several Gazan players were barred from crossing through Israel to reach the West Bank town of Hebron where the fixture was scheduled to be played.