Inside World Football - Page 1449 of 2259 - For the Business of Football

Copa Centenario completes one journey and kicks off another. USA vs Colombia

By Paul Nicholson

June 3 – The much-anticipated and often troublesome Copa America Centenario kicks off Saturday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with the US hosts facing Colombia. The opening match has the potential to spark what could be a celebration of sparkling football which will be in stark contrast (and a relief from) the dark areas of football corruption that this tournament has brought into the light.

Competitions

Gulf nations set up new regional body to manage their competitions

Gulf Cup

June 3 – Saudi Arabia and Yemen may have their political differences but football is bringing them together under a new eight-nation regional body that aims to streamline the administration of the sport in the region.

Integrity

Messi says he knows nothing, he just signed the paperwork

lionel-messi 2588310b

June 3 – Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, on trial for alleged tax fraud in Spain, has told a court he had no involvement in the management of his financial affairs.

Integrity

Peruvian court agrees to send former FA boss Burga to face US justice

June 3 – Another of the football officials indicted by the US Justice Department in the football corruption investigation has lost his battle against extradition from his home country to the US. A Peruvian court has ruled against former federation boss Manuel Burga’s request to remain in the country.

Europe

Belgium labour under €4.5m loss and indifferent pre-Euro form

By Samindra Kunti

June 3 – Belgium may be one of the favorites to win Euro2016, but the Belgian FA, the KBVB, has been suffering from a €4.5 million loss since the 2014 World Cup.

FIFA

News Analysis: Infantino has a problem

By James Dostoyevsky

Yesterday, Switzerland’s staunchly conservative daily, known as ‘NZZ’ among Zurich’s intelligentsia, headlined its back page: ‘Gianni Infantino has a problem’. The paper proceeded to list a host of “problems”, all of which look to be self-inflicted. And some of which will lead (have led) to an Ethics investigation by a man who cannot be bought: Cornel Borbély is a strong fighter for the good, and has no worries about being asked to leave.

Europe

Villar Llona hit by Spanish court dates as he ponders his next UEFA move

Angel_Maria_Villar_Llona_writing_note

By Paul Nicholson

June 2 – Angel Maria Villar Llona, the controversial president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and current interim president at UEFA, has been summoned to appear in court in Spain in July charged with deliberately delaying presidential elections at the RFEF.

AFC News

AFC reform task force reviews progress and proposes new whistleblower policy

AFC Congress pic

June 2 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at a meeting of its Governance Reform Task Force has taken steps to implement a new and more detailed whistleblower policy, a first for a football confederation outside the area of match-fixing.

Europe

Benzema accuses Deschamps of bowing to racist pressure over Euro selection

By Andrew Warshaw

June 2 – France’s attempt at a harmonious build-up to the start of Euro 2016 has been rocked after star striker Karim Benzema lashed out at coach Didier Deschamps for “bowing to the pressure of a racist part of France” when omitting him from the hosts’ squad.

Russia 2018

Infantino reassures Russia and suggests 2018 will reboot economy

Russia 2018 logo1

By Andrew Warshaw

June 2 – Making sure he avoided any slip-ups after a tempestuous and controversial last few weeks, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, on a trip to 2018 World Cup hosts Russia, said the country was on track to stage the tournament despite economic problems caused by sanctions and the shrinking oil price.

Europe

China’s Suning closes in on Inter Milan majority stake for €650m

June 2 – Chinese retailer Suning Commerce is reportedly close to buying a 60% stake in Inter Milan, the latest foray into European football by Chinese investors.

Integrity

Hershman to head ICSS as it enters next stage of development

Michael Hershman

June 2 – A leading anti-corruption expert who was part of the original team commissioned by FIFA to recommend specific reform proposals has become Group CEO of the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS).

Performance

Liverpool add Roma match in US to pre-season schedule

June 2 – Liverpool have added a third US fixture to their pre-season schedule. Already competing in the International Champions Cup (ICC) tournament, they will now play AS Roma from Italy’s Serie A in St Louis on August 1.

Europe

European football set to hit €25bn in revenue next season, says Deloitte

Rich list money

By David Owen

June 2 – Aggregate revenues of clubs in the Big Five European leagues are expected to exceed €15 billion by the end of next season due in part to the new cycle of Premier League TV deals, according to the latest Annual Review of Football Finance just published by Deloitte, the professional services firm.

FIFA

Exclusive: Espelund quits football politics deciding not to run for FIFA Council

By Andrew Warshaw

June 1 – European football has lost the services of arguably its most knowledgeable and dedicated voice in the women’s game after Karen Espelund decided not to put her name forward as UEFA’s representative on FIFA’s newly established ruling Council.