Gold Cup 2025
Unconvincing but into next round. USA dispatch Saudi Arabia, just
USA 1 Saudi Arabia 0
June 19 – American comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I don’t get no respect.” The same could be said for the United States Men’s Soccer Team as barely 10,000 fans showed up for a supporter friendly 8.15 pm kickoff versus Concacaf Gold Cup, Group D opponents, Saudi Arabia in a 1-0 win that again raised more questions than answers.
Prosecutors head to Zurich to get hot under the white collar
By Paul Nicholson
September 2 – Timing is everything but a gathering of the world’s federal prosecutors for a conference in Zurich, where FIFA is headquartered, has a certain tragi-comical resonance.
Premier League clubs make 2015 the first £1bn calendar year for transfer spending
By David Owen
September 2 – Transfer spending by Premier League clubs was more than double any of the other ‘Big Five’ West European leagues in the summer transfer window, as gross expenditure by the English elite reached £1 billion in a single calendar year for the first time.
Caribbean storm brews in Cayman over claims of rigged elections and suspicious cash transfers
By Paul Nicholson
September 2 – The Cayman Islands have been plunged into new football controversy and allegations of election rigging and financial irregularities. With Cayman Islands and former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb currently being held in the US on corruption charges, back in Cayman the process of healing has been derailed.
Pressure mounts as Teixeira offloads property assets
By Andrew Warshaw
September 1 – A seven-bedroom mansion controlled by a company owned by the wife of disgraced former FIFA powerbroker Ricardo Teixeira has been sold for $9 million suggesting the Brazilian, under investigation back home for allegedly accepting millions of dollars in bribes, is no longer taking refuge in the United States.
Tennent’s renews with Scotland and toast Euro2016 finals push
By Mark Baber
September 1 – C&C Group plc, and the Scottish FA have agreed a seven-figure deal for Tennent’s to be the official beer partner of the Scotland National Team for the next three years.
Brno eyes €55.5m stadium rebuild for Zbrojovka in Czech’s Synot Liga
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
September 1 – The city authorities of Brno have unveiled plans to lease the Za Luzankami stadium to Verime Zbrojovce, a supporters’ association led by former footballer Petr Svancara, and, in the long-term, finance a project worth some CZK 1.5 billion (€55.5 million) to overhaul the stadium for Czech football club FC Zbrojovka Brno.
Berlin brawl as jews and muslims trade insults at amateur match
September 1 – An amateur match in Berlin descended into a mass brawl that left two people injured after fans and players from both teams exchanged anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim insults, according to German police.
While Beckham still seeks stadium, Maldini puts Nesta in at Miami FC
September 1 – While David Beckham continues to attempt to finalise a deal to set up his new MLS team in Miami, the city’s other professional side Miami FC, due to join the second-tier NASL, has appointed former Italian international Alessandro Nesta, who made 78 appearances for his country, as its head coach.
Vietnamese call in police after more V-League match-fixing suspicions
September 1 – Organisers of Vietnam’s V-League have pledged to step up their crackdown on match-fixing after several games ended with questionable results.
I-League faces loss of Goa’s Dempo as ISL flexes its financial muscle
By Samindra Kunti
September 1 – Goa’s Dempo Sports Club are set to be the third Indian club to drop out of the 2016 I-League. The All India Football Federation AIFF wants a roadmap to have a single national Indian league in the future and it looks like the Indian Super League (ISL) is winning the race.
Indosat signs regional telecoms deals with Arsenal, Barca and Inter Milan
By Paul Nicholson
September 1 – Indonesian telecom operator Indosat has signed official telecom partner deals with three of Europe’s club giants – Arsenal, Barcelona and Inter Milan. The two-year deals will deliver exclusive content, breaking news and video to Indonesian fans.
Loko Ultras fail with pitch invasion but successfully lay siege to local police station
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 1 – More than 60 Ultras, supporters of Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Plovdiv, laid seige to the police station in Montana this weekend, trying to free one of their fellow fans. The fan had been arrested during the game in the Bulgarian elite league between Montana and Lokomotiv after Plovdiv Ultras tried to invade the pitch.
North vs South Korea football friendly mooted as bridge to new era
By Mark Baber
August 31 – The tenuous rapprochement between the two Koreas may see North and South Korea competing in a friendly for the first time in 10 years, according to an article in the English language Korea Joongang Daily, part of one of South Korea’s biggest newspaper groups.
FITS Forum to focus on measures to clean-up sports’ dirty money-go-round
By Paul Nicholson
August 31 – While the talk of reform in football up to this point has been generally been conducted via media statements and in federation meeting rooms, this week sees the first open discussion forum in Geneva that will look at the practical issues and potential solutions.