Fluminense to launch Dryworld in Brazil after dropping Adidas deal
By Samindra Kunti
January 7 – Rio-based club Fluminense have teamed up with sportswear manufacturer Dryworld in a five-year kit supply deal.
Gold Cup 2025
No more Mr Guy: Marsch respects disciplinary process as he embeds culture of ruthlessness in Canada
June 20 – Under fire Canada coach Jesse Marsch who is facing disciplinary action following his behaviour at Canada’s opening game of the Gold Cup, said “there’s a process in place and I respect that”.
Big Apple to take a bite out of Hawit after he agrees to extradition
By Andrew Warshaw
January 7 – One month after being arrested as part of the new wave of US justice department indictments in the FIFA corruption scandal, former FIFA vice-president Alfredo Hawit has agreed to his extradition from Switzerland.
When the music stops grab a seat. Del Nero back at Brazil’s top table
By Paul Nicholson
January 7 – The musical chairs at the top of South America’s leading football federations continued yesterday with an unusual twist. Recently the news has only been of presidents being arrested or removed from office, but this time the game changed with the return of Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) head Marco Polo Del Nero who resumed his position from Marcus Antonio Vicente.
Man Utd switch on MUTV in China with Sina Sports
January 7 – Manchester United is to launch its dedicated TV channel in China with Sina Sports. The multi-year deal is exclusive to Sina Sports.
Liverpool FC families to end Anfield services as Hillsborough inquest enters final stages
By Paul Nicholson
January 7 – With the last evidence in the Hillsborough disaster inquest being heard earlier this week, the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) announced another step forward for families and fans of Liverpool, saying that that Friday April 15 will be the last Hillsborough Memorial service held at Anfield Stadium.
Prince Ali says February vote is last chance to avoid FIFA catastrophe
By Andrew Warshaw
January 6 – Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, the Jordanian royal who has put his reputation on the line by taking a second stab at the FIFA presidency, has warned that if the wrong man is appointed to succeed Sepp Blatter, the organisation faces a catastrophic future.
USL steps in to remove Rochester Rhinos owners and take control of club
By Ben Nicholson
January 6 – The United Soccer League (USL) has terminated the Adirondack Sport’s Club’s ownership of Rochester Rhinos FC for failing to meet league standards. Issues about external and internal operational issues over the past several months led to the decision.
Barca transfer ban ends with club immediately registering 77 players
By Mark Baber
January 6 – Barcelona celebrated the end of their 14-month “transfer ban” by registering 77 players across all age groups, many of whom had been signed to the club during the ban and who will now be able to play in competitive matches.
Chinese money jostles for premium assets in football sector
By Paul Nicholson
January 6 – The scramble for football properties and a foothold in China is gathering pace with the winning bid for a 50% stake in Chinese Super League (CSL) side Beijing Guoan expected to be announced in the next few days.
Rodrigues prepares challenge for CONCACAF presidency
By Paul Nicholson
January 6 – Guyanese Mark Rodrigues is the first candidate to declare he will run for the presidency of the North and Central American and the Caribbean confederation in elections expected to take place May 12 in Mexico City.
Spanish opt for giant Vizrt video wall to boost TV talk show
January 6 – In the battle to bring innovative broadcast technology to football, Canal+ in Spain has turned to Norweigan company Vizrt to revamp the look and feel of its popular ‘Mucho Más Deporte’ (Much More Sports) show.
FIFA Ethics investigators complete Valcke probe and recommend 9-year ban
By Andrew Warshaw
January 6 – Jerome Valcke, the forgotten man in the FIFA corruption scandal who has been out of the game since being relieved of his duties as general-secretary back in October, faces a far longer spell on the sidelines following the recommendation of a nine-year ban by FIFA’s ethics committee.
Africans set CECAFA strategy and sign MoU with Saudi Arabia
January 6 – The Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) has agreed a five-year strategy for the region aimed at the development of women’s and youth football. There will also be an emphasis on technical development across the member countries.
Gulf challenge: UAE league fades as focus turns to Qatar and U23 Asian Cup
By Samindra Kunti
January 5 – On a Saturday night in December jeeps and cabs briskly maneuvered and zigzagged their way through dense traffic on Hazza Bin Zayed Street, one of Abu Dhabi’s arteries. They were heading for the Al Wahda Mall, an architectural monstrosity in the UAE capital’s Al Nahyan neighborhood. Affluent expats and local Emirati sauntered into the complex to indulge in the luxuries offered by Western brands including Calvin Klein,
Sponsor power? Adidas CEO puts his predator boot into Man Utd playing style
By Mark Baber
January 5 – Herbert Hainer has excited world-wide attention after the Adidas boss criticised the playing style of Manchester United – the club with whom he signed a world record £75m a year kit deal in 2014.