FIFA rejects Santos appeal leaving him fuming in the stands
September 25 – Portugal’s new coach Fernando Santos has lost his appeal against an eight-match FIFA ban for misconduct at the World Cup when he was in charge of Greece.
Garcia takes on Eckert saying bid report should be published
By Andrew Warshaw
September 25 – A clear and potentially damaging split within FIFA’s own ethics committee over the inquiry into possible corruption surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process has been exposed just as the leaders of football’s world governing body meet for one of its most eagerly awaited sessions.
Russians pitch national team ‘club’ for domestic Premier League
September 25 – Russia is building more than stadia and infrastructure for the 2018 World Cup. Next week the Russian Football Union’s (RFU) working group tasked with preparing a competitive team for the championship will meet to discuss a raft of suggestions to improve the competitiveness of the national team.
AFC suspends Tajikistan player for positive dope test at the Asian Games
September 25 – The 2014 World Cup in Brazil reported a doping-free championship, but the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has had to step in with a suspension following a positive test at the Asian games currently taking place in Incheon, South Korea.
Saudi Arabia makes contribution to anti-doping research fund
By David Owen
September 25 – Saudi Arabia has become the latest country to chip in to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s embryonic fund for new anti-doping research, donating $100,000 as the first instalment of an eventual $500,000 contribution.
Hungary’s Diosgyori VTK launches €21m new stadium project
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
September 25 – Diosgyori VTK is to launch construction of a new 15,000-seat stadium on its current site following the end of the 2014/2015 season. The Hungarian club from the city of Miskolc aims to open the new sports facility in 2016.
Algerian club banned from home games following death of Albert Ebosse
By Mark Baber
September 24 – Algeria’s Professional Football League has banned JS Kabylie from playing at home for the 2014-2015 season, following the tragic death of their striker, Cameroonian Albert Ebosse, who was hit by missile thrown by one of the club’s own supporters on August 23.
US Soccer and Nike stand by Hope Solo, despite domestic violence charges.
By Mark Baber
September 24 – U.S. Soccer is standing by its decision to allow women’s national team goalkeeper Hope Solo to continue to play in the period up to her November 4 trial on domestic violence charges. Nike have also said they will stick by the player.
Defender refuses to play on as more racism hits Russian football
September 24 – Yet another incident of racist abuse has hit Russian football which shows little sign of cutting out discrimination despite plenty of pledges to the contrary.
Under doctors’ orders: FIFA tightens concussion rules
By Andrew Warshaw
September 24 – Tighter controls over suspected cases of concussion are likely to be approved by FIFA under new proposals being presented to this week’s executive committee meeting in Zurich.
Der Kaiser lined up for Securing Sport
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.
Prince Ali adds voice to those calling for bid report to be published
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.
Moscow’s top architect to present at World Football Forum
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.
Bulgarian FA boss blames lack of local support on Euro 2020 bid flop
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.