Germany top rankings, English plummet, Costa Rica and Holland rise
July 18 – World champions Germany as expected top the latest FIFA world rankings but England have slumped to their lowest position – 20th – for 18 years.
Rosberg FI helmet celebration knocked on the head
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – German Formula One driver Nico Rosberg has been forced to ditch plans to wear a specially designed helmet in celebration of his country’s World Cup triumph after FIFA said an image of the trophy would breach intellectual property rights.
Israeli teams barred from home European fixtures as security worsens
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – The increasingly dangerous military conflict in the Middle East has had an immediate impact on football with UEFA barring Israeli teams from playing European matches at home while the fighting between Israel and Hamas continues.
Venue and schedule released for US debut of Copa Centroamericana
July 18 – Costa Rican fans living in the US will have the opportunity to see their World Cup heroes back in competitive action this September when the Copa Centroamericana kicks off in Washington with the Los Ticos taking on Nicaragua in the opening match.
Last minute court suspension will keep Nigeria playing and NFF board in place
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – FIFA looks set to lift its suspension on Nigeria imposed because of government interference in the affairs of the country’s national federation.
Hull City break sponsorship record with two-year 12Bet deal
By Mark Baber
July 18 – 12BET, the sports betting brand, have confirmed a new two-year sponsorship of Hull City Tigers. The sponsorship is the largest in the club’s history, following a successful season in the Premier League and an FA Cup run that saw the club make it all the way to the final, though not to lift the trophy.
Nissan and CFG clubs geared up for global sponsorship based on VIK
July 18 – City Football Group (CFG) – the company that owns Manchester City FC, Manchester City Women’s FC, New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, and a stake in Yokohama F·Marinos – has unveiled its first sponsor partner across all its football holdings.
Legia Warsaw extends Pepsi deal to finance its Football Academy
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
July 17 – Legia Warsaw has extended its sponsorship with PepsiCo by a further three years. Under the deal, the company’s Gatorade brand will become the official sponsor of the Polish club’s Football Academy youth project.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Man Utd top Forbes sports teams value ranking
By Mark Baber
July 17 – Real Madrid tops the annual Forbes list of the world’s most valuable sports teams, for the second year in a row, with Barcelona and Manchester United swapping places from last year in second and third place respectively.
Barca confirm that Suarez is now theirs, 100%, as CAS appeal decision awaited
By Andrew Warshaw
July 17 – Barcelona have announced that Luis Suarez is now “100 percent” their player even though they cannot officially unveil the £75 million striker because of his FIFA ban for biting at the World Cup.
Sierra Leone suspends 15 players and officials in match-fixing scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
July 17 – Sierra Leone is the latest country to be hit by a serious match-fixing scandal after national team captain Ibrahim Kargbo (pictured) was suspended along with 14 other players and officials. The country’s sports ministry and the Sierra Leone Football Association said the 15 are alleged to have tried to fix the outcome of a 0-0 draw against South Africa in a second round qualifier for the 2010 African Nations Cup.
Costa Rican keeper Navas has home town stadium named in his honour
July 17 – Keylor Navas, whose sensational performances in goal for World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica earned him worldwide plaudits, has had a stadium named after him back home.
Webb to open Soccerex forum in Barbados
July 17 – CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb says the expansion of the Soccerex sports business conference to his region will help create unity among the individual federations.
MLS TV viewing figures throw out a fuzzy picture
July 17 – With the 2014 World Cup over, and the US national team inspiring their nation for the duration of their stay in Brazil, eyes have turned to the MLS and particular attention to TV viewing figures and whether new-found national love of the world game is being sustained.
Cecafa look to add to Kagame Cup with a Champions League format
July 17 – The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Secretary General Nicholas Musonye (pictured) has said the regional association is thinking about starting its own Champions League.