By Andrew Warshaw
September 10 – Europe’s clubs are still to be convinced that a switch to a winter World Cup in 2022 is a fait accompli. The clubs say they want “strong, decisive” reasons before accepting a decision to move the Qatar tournament from its usual summer slot.
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
September 9 – CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb says the reforms FIFA have put in place do not go far enough and that world football’s governing body has “huge challenges” ahead in terms of building trust and confidence amongst the general public.
September 9 – Moscow’s telecoms operators are gearing up for a streamed 2018 World Cup with task forces dispatched to work out how this can best be done, according to Russian news agency ITAR-TASS.
September 9 – India’s national men’s and women’s football teams, preparing for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, are stranded in a training camp in Shanghai, with the chances of them getting to the tournament diminishing by the hour as the Indian government dilly-dallies.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 9 – FIFA have revived the possibility of the 2022 Qatar World Cup being staged in January if it is switched to winter, putting it on a direct collision course with the winter Olympics. The first meeting of the multi-stakeholder Task Force set up to decide once and for all when to stage the tournament discussed three possible time frames, including January/February, even though FIFA president Sepp Blatter has previously ruled that out.
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 9 – Bulgarian champions Ludogorets have been handed a reduced stadium sanction by UEFA for their first home group game in the Champions League on October 1.
September 9 – Web-driven network Fieldoo, which connects players with agents and clubs, has now registered over 150,000 users after just a year of operation, making it the biggest specialist independent network for players and agents.
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
September 8 – FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan says he in favour of term limits for senior officials even though the idea was firmly rejected by the organisation’s Congress three months ago.
By David Owen
September 8 – A small piece of sporting history was made in Scotland on Saturday when the University of Stirling of the fifth-tier Lowland League beat rivals Edinburgh University 2-1 to hand manager Shelley Kerr her first victory.
By Mark Baber
September 8 – As the deadline for Chris Giwa (pictured) to give up his claim to have been elected President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) passed this morning, all eyes are on FIFA as to whether they implement their ultimatum to suspend Nigeria from world football.
By Andrew Warshaw in Manchester
September 8 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter will tell his executive committee later this month that he will definitely stand for a fifth term of office next year, finally formalising what he had all but confirmed during months of public speeches across the globe.
By Mark Baber
September 8 – Myanmar won the third edition of the Peace Cup, defeating hosts Philippines with a 3-2 win in the final on Saturday, whilst Palestine, whose participation is a victory in itself, defeated Chinese Taipei 7-3 to take the bronze medal.
Recent reports suggesting that European Union countries were mulling a possible future sports boycott against Vladimir Putin’s Russia triggered two immediate thoughts.
September 9 – FIFA has contacted Cayman Islander Canover Watson for more information regarding his arrest in connection with an alleged corruption and money laundering investigation.
September 9 – MLS team Vancouver Whitecaps are still in the process of discussing plans for a USL Pro team with the local community, despite their intention to start play in the 2015 season. The club signed a memorandum of understanding with New Westminster (part of the Greater Vancouver district) in July but have yet to finalise stadium plans.