Russians cap prices for 2018 World Cup hotels
February 17 – Football fans looking for cheap accommodation at the Russia 2018 World Cup are unlikely to find it in Moscow or St Petersburg, but could find value in Kaliningrad and Rostov.
Swansea top out, Chelsea, Norwich, Man City and Arsenal keep on the pace
February 16 – The 26th round of the Premier League saw five clubs record more than 99% capacity attendances with Swansea packing in 90 people more than their official capacity.
Aurier’s outburst draws a blank with PSG’s Blanc
February 16 – Paris St-Germain’s preparations for tonight’s Champions League clash with Chelsea have been rocked by an internal spat between coach Laurent Blanc and one of his own players.
Michelin treads new path as sponsorship wheels come off beleaguered CBF
By Samindra Kunti
February 16 – The Brazilian FA CBF and sponsor Michelin have parted ways as the CBF’s crisis continues well into 2016.
Algeria hit by drug-taking allegations and CAF suspensions
February 16 – Allegations of widespread drug-taking have rocked Algerian football with one international Youcef Belaili (pictured) reportedly suspended by the Confederation of African Football along with three others players.
Magnificent Seven? Have Palermo set a new managerial record?
February 16 – Owners and chairman are notoriously impatient with coaches when things go wrong. But Palermo surely take the biscuit having made no fewer than seven managerial changes this season.
Platini bullish that FIFA appeals process will clear him for Euros return
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – Banned UEFA president Michel Platini says he is confident of clearing his name in time to take centre stage at this summer’s European Championship finals in his native France.
If Carlsberg did… pubs geared up Euro 2016 ad campaigns for
By Mark Baber
February 16 – Carlsberg, the Official Beer of UEFA EURO 2016 and the England team, has launched its campaign for this summer’s Euros and claims the tournament will be worth £60 million to pubs in the UK.
Chelsea to beat PSG, and join Barca, both Madrids and Bayern, says stats firm
February 16 – The Champions League restarts tonight with Round of 16 matches. Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are reckoned to be nailed on qualifiers for the last eight, while Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona will join them, according to analysis of data from the CIES Football Observatory.
Salman puts his money where his mouth is, Dodd calls for ‘cultural shift’
February 15 – FIFA presidential candidate Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has issued fresh denials that he had anything to do with suppressing pro-democracy protests in his native Bahrain four years ago.
Man Utd pay tribute to Sir Bobby naming Old Trafford’s South Stand after him
February 15 – Manchester United is to name Old Trafford’s South Stand to the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand 60 years after the England and United legend made his debut for the club.
Chinese New Year heralds new superpower and transfer speculation
By Mark Baber
February 15 – As Chinese New Year is celebrated across the globe, it is increasingly clear that the 2015-16 transfer window, closed in Europe but still open in China, marks the emergence onto the world stage of a major new football superpower and the beginning of the concrete realisation of the aims expressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2011: for the People’s Republic to qualify for, host and finally win the World Cup.
Valcke says wait for ‘all’ the facts as lawyer slams FIFA ethics ruling
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – As he begins a 12-year ban from football, in contrast to flying round the world and staying in luxury hotels as FIFA’s most senior day to day administrator, Jerome Valcke’s lawyer insists the organisation’s former number two has done “absolutely nothing wrong” despite being punished for abusing FIFA’s money and a host of other misdemeanours.
Dutch confirm Willem II matches were fixed and call for help
By Samindra Kunti
February 15 – The Dutch FA, the KNVB, have confirmed that the 2009 Eredivisie match Utrecht vs Willlem II was subject to match-fixing after a year-long probe. A charity match between Willem II and the Sierra Leone national team may also have been manipulated.
FIFA hears Platini appeal over 8-year ban today
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – The latest move in Michel Platini’s efforts to resume his shattered career as UEFA president was taking place today with FIFA’s appeals committee considering his eight-year ban from all football-related activity.