Blatter and FIFA send global message of support for Russia 2018
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – Was it deliberately held back in order to have maximum impact at Saturday’s World Cup draw?
Gold Cup 2025
Passion meets pragmatism in Austin as Panama secure QF spot
Guatemala 0-1 Panama:
June 20 – Friday night at Q2 Stadium bore no resemblance to the venue that hosted football just 24 hours earlier. The transformation was complete, and the catalyst was simple: unbridled passion provided by the hordes of Guatemala supporters who descended on Austin. Stark contrast to the lack of interest shown by US fans on Thursday.
Ukrainian league signs Pari-Match as first title sponsor in 2-year deal
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 27 – Betting company Pari-Match has become the main sponsor of the Ukrainian league championship in a two-year deal which will see the competition renamed as the Pari-Match League. The deal is worth 43 million Ukrainian hryvnia (€1.8 million).
OGC Nice are latest French club to deal in poker site Winamax
By Samindra Kunti
July 27 – French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice have signed a sponsorship deal with online poker company Winamax. In a new one-year deal, running for the duration of the 2015/16 season, Winamax branding will appear on the front of Nice’s playing shorts. Winamax’s logo will feature for the first time during a friendly against Napoli on August 2.
Mexico secure seventh Gold Cup title as Reggae Boyz finally miss a beat
By Paul Nicholson
July 27 – Mexico won their seventh CONCACAF Gold Cup last night with a 3-1 win over the tournament’s surprise package Jamaica who made Gold Cup history by being the first team from the Caribbean to reach the final.
Russia glows with 2018 show, but dark side of racism lurks off-stage
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – The millions of fans who tuned in across the globe to watch Saturday’s 2018 World Cup draw could have been forgiven for thinking everything in Russia’s garden was rosy.
30,000+ football dope tests in 2014; less than one in 200 tested positive
By David Owen
July 27 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has released comprehensive statistics on anti-doping tests analysed by WADA-accredited laboratories in 2014.
Who ate all the pies? Aberdeen battles novel avian problem
By David Owen
July 25 – Things have been going well on the field of play for Scottish club Aberdeen of late, a second place finish in the Scottish Premiership last season entitling them to a slot in the qualifying phase of the 2015-16 Europa League.
Valcke to follow Blatter’s exit, as he calls summit to persuade sponsors to stay
By Andrew Warshaw
July 24 – FIFA’s number two, secretary-general Jerome Valcke, has admitted for the first time that he will leave the organisation when Sepp Blatter is replaced but says the next urgent priority is an emergency summit with front-line sponsors as a result of the corruption crisis enveloping the organisation.
Panama fury escalates as they now call for refs committee to resign
By Paul Nicholson
July 24 – The Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT), bitter at their semi-final loss in the Gold Cup to Mexico on Wednesday evening have escalated their public complaints, now calling for the resignation of the whole CONCACAF Referees Committee citing “insulting and shameful” refereeing. The demand was made in a statement on their website.
Stoke City delivers DPD sponsor package in 2-year deal
By Mark Baber
July 23 – Premier League club Stoke City have signed a new two-year partnership with parcel delivery company DPD which includes sponsorship of the east stand at the Britannia Stadium which will now be known as the DPD Stand.
UEFA give Croatia Euro 2016 lifeline with soft sanction for swastika offence
July 24 – Croatia have been let off the hook and avoided being thrown out of Euro 2016 qualifying for racial discrimination, much to the relief of the entire country after the prime minister personally pleaded with UEFA president Michel Platini to show leniency.
VISA lays out its cards in FIFA independent reform debate
July 24 – Another of FIFA’s top World Cup sponsors has expressed its concern at the lack of progress in cleaning up the organisation and says the recently established Reform Task Force does not go nearly far enough.
Hulk pulled out of draw as Russian racism gets FIFA focus
By Andrew Warshaw
July 24 – As they prepare for their biggest day since being awarded the tournament, Russia’s 2018 World Cup organisers are being constantly reminded about the issue of racism that shows little sign of diminishing.
Prince Ali says reform is for the new president, not a FIFA task force
By Andrew Warshaw
July 24 – Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who failed in an attempt to wrest the FIFA presidency away from Sepp Blatter in May, says the veteran Swiss should not be allowed to oversee the reform process at his corruption-plagued governing body and should leave it to his successor.
Sheikh Ahmad ally becomes international swim federation heir apparent
By David Owen
July 23 – A close ally of FIFA Executive Committee (ExCo) member Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has been made heir apparent of the International Swimming Federation (FINA).