Mexico 2-0 Suriname:
June 18 – The Mexican national team is perhaps the only country in world football that plays home matches in two countries. The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is, of course, their spiritual home; however, in Los Angeles – where they roared to victory over the Dominican Republic – and tonight in the heart of Texas at AT&T Stadium in Arlington versus Suriname, the team is welcomed by partisan support and rapturous anticipation.
By Mark Baber
May 26 – Liberia have been given the go ahead by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to play international matches on home soil following the 9 May declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the country is officially “Ebola Free.”
By Mark Baber
May 26 – Two first half goals within three minutes, scored by Cameron Jerome and Nathan Redmond, ensured that Norwich City beat Middlesbrough in the “£120 million” Wembley Championship play-off final – just a year after suffering the shock of relegation.
By Alexander Krassimirov
May 26 – With rumoured investors about to step in to save Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia from financial ruin, Croatian defender Tonci Kukoc (pictured) has stepped into the dispute attacking the Bulgarian Football Union for it failure to award his club a license to operate.
He came as a man of the world and left as a loser: Roberto Di Matteo was the man brought in to kick start a new era at Schalke 04, but instead, the former Chelsea coach’s time in the Bundesliga has expired after only seven months.
May 26 – Football has been rocked by yet another tragic incident of a young player unexpectedly losing his life after collapsing during a game, this time in Argentina.
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
May 25 – Russian broadcaster NTV Plus has reportedly agreed the terms for extending its current broadcasting deal with Russia’s Premier League (RPL). The new contract is for a three-year period, and it is estimated to be worth at least RUB 5.6 billion (€101 million).
By Andrew Warshaw
May 26 – Michel Platini has launched arguably his most strongly-worded attack on Sepp Blatter’s FIFA tenure with a remarkable outburst, including accusing the veteran Swiss of lying about standing again, that has cranked up the tension and divisions ahead of Friday’s presidential election.
By Mark Baber
May 26 – A month after first becoming a sponsor of Barcelona, Saudi based Fitness Time has been chosen as the official partner of FC Barcelona in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates under a partnership agreement which will see Barcelona establish seven football academies for the Fitness Time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
By David Owen
May 26 – FIFA is to conduct an inspection in earthquake-stricken Nepal to better evaluate the assistance to be given in the wake of the two devastating quakes in three weeks that have left more than 8,000 people dead.
May 25 – Former Uruguay international Fabian Estoyanoff, now playing in Saudi Arabia, has been banned for six matches by the Asian Football Confederation for assaulting a South Korean opponent following an AFC Champions League game earlier this month.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 25 – As the behind-the-scenes diplomacy to halt Palestine’s call for Israel to be suspended from FIFA enters its final phase, the head of the Palestine Football Association has provided FIFA with a timely example of why his controversial proposal remains on the table at the forthcoming FIFA Congress.
By Mark Baber
May 25 – The Italian Women’s FA Cup final went ahead as originally scheduled after the President of the National Amateur League, Felice Belloli (pictured), was sacked following the uproar over his sexist and homophobic comments which had sparked a player’s boycott.
‘Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.’ Chances are, Sepp Blatter will not be familiar with the lyric. Unless, that is, he is an avid follower of rock music.
May 25 – This Summer’s Gold Cup, to be played in the US, has added another sponsor with Delta becoming the Official Airline. Last week CONCACAF announced Sprint as its official wireless provider.
By Samindra Kunti
May 25 – Brazilian top-flight clubs are moving away from a business model with TV rights as a main revenue stream, towards fan membership schemes and ticketing as now generating the bulk of the money. Major clubs Internacional and Cruzeiro highlight this evolution.