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.
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 30 – Bulgarian champions Ludogorets are building for the future and have launched a new stage in the modernisation of their training facilities, just a few months after the club from Razgrad opened a new grandstand at its stadium.
By Mark Baber
July 30 – Premier League newcomers AFC Bournemouth have agreed a stadium naming rights deal with health care provider Vitality, part of South Africa-based Discovery Limited. The 11,700-capacity Dean Court, the smallest ground ever in the Premier League, will be called the Vitality Stadium.
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
July 30 – Serbian Members of Parliament (MPs) have been discussing measures to combat match-fixing which has plagued the top tier of the country’s league. Some of the proposals put forward by local politicians include the much-awaited privatisation of state-owned clubs, introducing stricter regulations, as well as suspending the league.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – Twenty-four hours after declaring he was running for FIFA president, UEFA chief Michel Platini has learned the identity of his first rival for the job, with former FIFA vice president Chung Mong-joon saying he too intends to throw his hat into the ring to take over from Sepp Blatter on February 26.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – As FIFA prepares to put in place a raft of reforms designed to clean up the organisation in the post-Sepp Blatter era, the South American Confederation (CONMEBOL) has struck first by introducing almost identical measures.
“If you add up the amounts clubs have spent in the last three or four years I think maybe you will find a surprise.” Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho sat in the press conference with his arms folded. His bottom lip was pouting. This was the face of a child whose daddy had told him he was not allowed a lollipop. For the world’s top managers, and the habitually successful Portuguese is certainly one of them,
By Ben Nicholson
July 30 – The MLS All-Star game is a peculiarity of the US soccer calendar that is unique in world football. This years opponents for the MLS side were Premier League Tottenham Hotspur who lost 2-1 to goals by two of the older player on the pitch – Kaká and David Villa.
July 28 – As Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid continue to woo Chinese fans on their pre-season tour, off the field the club has signed a deal with AliBaba’s Tmall Global to use the platform to sell Ronaldo (and Real Madrid) merchandise direct to the Chinese public.
July 28 – Managers normally get fired for being knocked out of tournaments early but within a few of days of winning the Gold Cup, Miguel Herrera has been sacked as national coach of Mexico for punching a journalist.
By Mark Baber
July 28 – The on-pitch rivalry between Zico and Platini, two of the greatest goalscoring midfielders ever to grace a football pitch, may be played out again in FIFA’s halls of power if the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) accedes to Zico’s request to put his name forward for FIFA president.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 28 – As anticipated, Michel Platini has confirmed he will run for FIFA president saying the corruption-battered organisation needs to “turn over a new leaf”.
July 29 – Spain’s anti-violence commission has fined Barcelona €66,000 after the Catalan club’s fans booed the national anthem before the Copa del Rey final in May.
July 29 – After a summer of international tours and ad hoc tournaments, the Premier League kicks off August 8 and for those watching on TV it will be amid a barrage of bookmakers offering special odds, sign-up bonuses and exclusive bets.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 28 – Michel Platini could remain in temporary charge of UEFA even if he takes over from Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, Insideworldfootball has learned.
By Mark Baber
July 28 – Parma Calcio 1913, a new club backed by pasta maker Guido Barilla with ex-coach Nevio Scala (pictured) as president, has been given the go-ahead by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to compete in Italy’s Serie D following the bankruptcy of the old club.