Big score, but no problem? Paide put 31 past Raudteetoolised
July 2 – No-one is suggesting any shenanigans or rigging by Asian syndicates but yet another football scoreline in Estonia has raised eyebrows.
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.
Fox feeds on World Cup success, closing TV deal with NWSL in US
By Ben Nicholson
July 2 – Whilst the Women’s World Cup in Canada is attracting record numbers of spectators, Fox Sports are capitalising on the growing market for women’s soccer in North America by securing a broadcasting deal with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Nike launch Ordem ball at PL Asia trophy, Liverpool release more tour tickets
By Paul Nicholson
July 2 – With a number of English Premier League clubs now only two weeks away from their pre-season trips to Asia, Nike have announced that they will release their most “advanced football ever”, the Ordem 3, at the Barclays Asia Trophy 2015 in Singapore. Meanwhile Liverpool have released have released a final batch of tickets for their four match friendly schedule.
Where Blatter could be talk of the Toon
By Paul Nicholson
July 2 – If Sepp Blatter is looking for something to do when he finally hands in his FIFA presidential mandate we think we may have found just the activity in England’s Newcastle upon Tyne.
Romanian federation boss stands himself down amid corruption probe
By Mark Baber
July 2 – Gheorghe Chivorchian (pictured), the general secretary of the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has suspended himself from his position after prosecutors charged him with abusing his position and forging documents when he was chairman of club side Poli Timisoara.
Pakistani president Hayat re-elected despite court ban
By Mark Baber
July 2 – Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat was re-elected President of the Pakistani Football Federation (PFF) for a further four years at a meeting of the PFF congress held in Abbotabad’s Hotel Legrand.
Infantino urges Spanish league to drop Winter 2022 legal challenge
By Andrew Warshaw
July 1 – Clearly aware that his president Michel Platini voted for Qatar to stage the 2022 World Cup on condition it was held in winter, UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino has urged Spanish football officials to stop challenging the decision to switch the tournament from its traditional summer slot to November-December.
Chelsea top PL season money league, Man Utd edge Arsenal in third
By Paul Nicholson
July 1 – The English Premier League in their 2014/15 season review released detail of its revenue distribution to clubs alongside an impressive set of figures generally for the performance of the league whose 20 clubs sold a massive 13.7 million seats over the season.
Sign of the times? Dutch opportunism? Or is 2018 a bridge builder?
By Paul Nicholson
July 1 – Could there be a gentle thawing of political and business relations between the West and East – at least the European West? And is the 2018 World Cup the bridge to a wider and renewed co-operation with Russia?
UEFA stick by Olympiakos despite match-fixing shame, for the moment
July 1 – Olympiakos are for the moment retaining their spot in the Champions League despite the Greek club’s owner Evangelos ‘Vangelis’ Marinakis being accused of running a racketeering and match-fixing ring.
Blatter to miss Women’s World Cup final, Hayatou to step in
By Andrew Warshaw
July 1 – Following increasing speculation, Sepp Blatter has decided not to attend this weekend’s Women’s World Cup Final in Canada citing “personal reasons”, a significant break with tradition that has immediately been linked to the FBI criminal investigation into football’s world governing body.
CONCACAF brings in specialist to review operations
By Paul Nicholson
July 1 – CONCACAF has called in management consultancy Alvarez & Marsal to review its finances and operations. The confederation that was rocked by the arrest of its president Jeffrey Webb and vice president Eduardo Li, has moved swiftly to establish a review of its procedures already having installed a ‘Special Committee’ of its three senior north American federation presidents to stabilise the organisation.
Lee Wellings: ‘Brand Brazil’ suffering from failure
One year ago they suffered the most painful, humiliating defeat in the history of football. Somehow things have got worse. To the extent that remarkably we have to ask ourselves: is there a way back for Brazil? Can the nation synonymous with football ever regain its special status?
Mihir Bose: The one Blatter legacy that will live on
It is interesting that, despite all that has been written about FIFA, one issue has not been much discussed. This is how will politicians treat any future FIFA that emerges from its bribery crisis? We know how western politicians now regard FIFA. They have nothing but contempt. David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, has made this abundantly clear in the House of Commons.
Kenyan chaos as power struggle causes AGM to be abandoned
By Mark Baber
June 30 – The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday was aborted by controversial FKF President Sam Nyamweya (pictured), allegedly on the grounds of insecurity and too many people turning up to the venue.