By Paul Nicholson
July 14 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino is to be interviewed by ethics investigators, believed to be today (Friday), over allegations that he has breached the FIFA’s code of ethics regarding his expenses and use of private jets.
July 15 – Real Madrid have slipped to second behind NFL team the Dallas Cowboys in the annual Forbes list of 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 15 – Intensive behind-the-scenes discussions are expected to take place this weekend as the July 20 deadline for UEFA presidential nominations to succeed Michel Platini approaches.
July 15 – From day one he has protested his innocence but the net appears to be closing in on Thailand’s controversial former FIFA executive committee member Worawi Makudi (pictured).
July 15 – English Championship club Queens Park Rangers, relegated from the Premier League three seasons ago with record losses, have taken a step nearer their dream of a new 40,000 seat stadium in West London after being granted planning permission to build 605 new homes the Old Oak Common site.
July 15 – Vincent Labrune, the controversial Olympique Marseille president, will part ways with the club before the start of the 2016/17 Ligue 1 season on August 14 as new money vies to take the reins at the under-performing French colossus.
July 15 – Under Armour has moved aggressively in China to protect its brand from Uncle Martian, a low-end Chinese copycat of Under Armour, filing suit in the High People’s Court of Fujing Province.
July 15 – Spain’s La Liga has added watchmaker Tag Heuer as the league’s official timekeeping partner. La Liga is the latest premium league property to be added to the firm’s sponsorship roster, having added England’s Premier League in April.
July 15 – James Johnson, who heads the Professional Football Department at FIFA, has been shortlisted by Leaders and the Aspire Academy for the second annual Leaders under-40 awards, the global search for the best talent in the business of sport under the age of 40. In other words, the next generation of decision makers.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 14 – China’s emerging influence in world football has taken yet another decisive step with the news that real estate, entertainment and sports conglomerate Wanda has struck a deal with FIFA to host an annual ‘China Cup’ tournament starting next year featuring its national team plus three other as yet unannounced international sides.
By David Owen
July 14 – Match Hospitality has circulated details of luxury packages for attending the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, with the highest prices for advertised products leaving little change from $3 million.
July 14 – FIFA has formally launched its new development programme with national associations now able to apply for the first tranche of the $5 million earmarked for them in the four-year cycle.
July 14 – Professional footballers in Chile have announced strike action for the weekend of 22, 23 and 24 July if the country’s football association (ANFP) does not comply with the wishes of players’ association Sifup, according to the international players’ union FIFPro.
July 14 – Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales have moved above England and up to 11th in the FIFA world rankings.
July 14 – Panathinaikos will play their first home game of the new Greek Super League season behind closed doors as punishment for crowd disturbances in a playoff match last season against PAOK Salonica.