24 September- German icon Franz Beckenbauer has added his name to the list of key speakers at next month’s Securing Sport conference in London, organised by the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 24 – On the eve of its latest executive committee meeting, further pressure is growing on FIFA to authorise publication of the comprehensive report into possible World Cup bid corruption in order to maintain credibility and transparency.
September 24 – The City of Moscow’s Chief Architect, Sergey Kuznetsov (pictured) will share his experience of working in the Russian market and the major sporting projects he has been involved in at the World Football Forum, November 13.
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 24 – The president of the Bulgarian Football Union Borislav Mihaylov (pictured) expressed disappointment after the failure of Sofia’s bid to host matches from Euro 2020. blaming UEFA’s rejection on the lack of support from Bulgarian institutions.
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 24 – Kiril Domuschiev (pictured), the owner of Bulgarian champions Ludogorets who are have qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history, said he expects club to achieve a small financial surplus at the end of the 2014.
September 24 – In one of the game’s more unusual takeovers, a Singapore businessman who not so long ago tried to buy Liverpool has agreed to enter into partnership with five former Manchester United players and taken a 50% share in a club playing in the eighth tier of English football.
Transparency. It’s clear to see what an easy word it is to throw around. Get it wrong, fake it, claim it, and people will see through you. But genuinely aspire to deliver it, and do it voluntarily, however tough that path is, can do wonders for reputation. Of an individual or organisation.
By Mark Baber
September 23 – Former Gambian sports minister Modou Lamin Kabba Bajo has won elections for president of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) opening the way for a lifting of suspension of the country from international football.
September 23 – English football may be trying to take a lead in stamping out racism but discrimination is far from being eliminated on social media as witnessed by the fact that police have opened an investigation after Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was subjected to racist online abuse for sending a tweet.
September 23 – Leading Russian club CSKA Moscow are poised to introduce banning orders and take legal action to stop continued violence by their fans in European games “pushing us over the edge,” according to general director Roman Babayev.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 23 – A senior FIFA executive committee member has broken ranks to predict that the 2022 World Cup will be switched from Qatar, incurring a strong and immediate reaction from the organisers who insist there is no chance of the Gulf state being stripped of host status.
By David Owen
September 23 – A 40% increase in broadcasting revenue boosted FA Cup winners Arsenal’s turnover to more than £300 million in 2013-14, and kept the North London club in the black, despite a sharp reduction in profits on player sales.
By Mark Baber
September 22 – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) met on Saturday to set the date for new elections, in line with FIFA’s directives, but apparently in contravention of a court order obtained by the Chris Giwa faction, who still regard their man as the legitimately elected President.
No-one could possibly argue with Wembley being chosen as host for the climax of Euro 2020. England’s national stadium is among the finest in the world while the country had the best bid and has not held a major football tournament since 1996. But anyone who believes there was no politics involved in last week’s decision by UEFA’s executive committee should think again.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 22 – Revelations that FIFA’s much-discussed report into possible corruption surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process might never be made public threatens to plunge the organisation into yet more discomfort and debate over morality.