Andrew Warshaw: Premier League’s cup is only half full
Sporting traditions are supposed to die hard but not, it seems, when it comes to the FA Cup, football’s oldest – and greatest – domestic knockout competition.
Placeholder turned UEFA nominee Infantino says he will bring football to FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
January 13 – He may only be standing for FIFA president by default but Gianni Infantino nevertheless believes he is the right man to lead the organisation into a new era of transparency and credibility.
Guatemalan police catch indicted Jimenenz and prepare to send him to US
January 13 – Police in Guatemala have arrested a former head of the country’s FA who has been on the run since being caught up in the US probe into football corruption.
Liverpool gets emoticon-al with global Skype partnership
January 13 – Supporting Liverpool is clearly an emotional experience as the club agonisingly battles to return to former domestic glories and trophies. In a city that wears its emotions very high on its sleeve, Kopites now can add a LFC emoticon to their Skype communications following a new partnership.
Kuwait blames Sheikh Ahmad for sports ban and files lawsuit
By Andrew Warshaw
January 13 – In a move that could have potential repercussions in the forthcoming FIFA presidential election, Kuwait’s government has announced it is suing a number of top sports executives, among them FIFA executive committee member Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah, accusing them of causing the suspension of the Gulf state from global sporting competition.
Indian league beats La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 for attendances, CSL and MLS close behind
By David Owen
January 13 – Further evidence of mounting Chinese interest in football has been published in the shape of analysis of match attendances by the sports practice of KPMG, the global audit, tax and advisory services network.
DFS’ high stakes game continues in NY as court lets the ‘fantasy’ play on
By Paul Nicholson
January 12 – The daily fantasy sports (DFS) operators have been given permission to continue operations following a decision by a panel of four judges from the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court to grant a further stay while a case against DraftKings and FanDuel is being reviewed.
PSG fly into rage and threaten rapper over refugee song
By Mark Baber
January 12 – Paris Saint-Germain have sent a legal letter demanding Sri Lankan-British rapper MIA takes down the video for her new song ‘Borders’ as it features the singer wearing a PSG shirt modified to read “Fly Pirates” instead of “Fly Emirates”.
Scenting blood: FIFA investigators to appeal for longer bans for Blatter and Platini
By Andrew Warshaw
January 12 – Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, fighting to clear their names, could end up being banned foreven longer than eight years.
TV presidential debate scrapped as candidates juggle schedules
By Andrew Warshaw
January 12 – A proposed live television debate featuring the five FIFA presidential candidates has been scrapped because only two of them were able to accept an invitation to take part.
Chinese show appetite for buying clubs, at home and in Spain
January 12 – La Liga’s Granada has become the latest Spanish club rumoured to be the focus of Chinese investment interest. While back in China, Super League club FC Shijiazhuang Ever Bright has reportedly sold 50% to investment group Hebei Hongsong.
Messi crowned world’s best player, Real and Barca dominate team of year
January 12 – Amidst all the usual glitz and glamour and the emphasis on business as usual, two men were conspicuous by their absence at the annual Ballon d’Or award ceremony on Monday night.
LA’s new MLS franchise shows its new colours and celebrity owners
By Ben Nicholson
January 16 – New MLS franchise LAFC – rising from the ashes of the terminated Chivas USA franchise – has unveiled two new club owners, the club’s logo and colours which will be black and gold, with a splash of red.
EZTrader bets higher with new Spurs partnership
January 12 – Tottenham Hotspur have announced EZTrader as its Official Binary Options Trading Partner. Spurs are the sixth football club partner for the binary options broker.
Time for FIFA to have a black president, says Sexwale
By Andrew Warshaw
January 12 – FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale says Sepp Blatter’s misconduct should be put into perspective and has praised the work of the outgoing veteran Swiss, currently fighting his eight-year ban.