ESPN examines web model for MLS broadcast distribution
May 30 – ESPN may start offering coverage of Major League Soccer (MLS) games online, without a required subscription to ESPN.
FIFA gets social and unveils its World Cup Global Stadium
By Tom Parsons
May 29 – FIFA has today revealed details of the launch of its Global Stadium – an “online and mobile hub for the FIFA World Cup, which will help billions of football fans share their excitement and stay in touch with all the action”.
Swiss propose tighter laws against money laundering for sports officials
By Mark Baber
May 29 – The Legal Affairs Commission of the lower house of the Swiss parliament has proposed a draft law which, if passed by the legislature, will impose stricter rules against money laundering.
Blatter backs Israel but finding Middle East accord is finely balanced
By Andrew Warshaw
May 29 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has given the clearest indication yet that he will not support Palestinian calls for sanctions against Israel at next month’s FIFA Congress in Brazil. Blatter has made finding a compromise between two political foes one of his main priorities and has just completed his latest mediation visit to the region.
Italians revamp player co-ownership and scrap 50% rule
By Andrew Warshaw
May 29 – In what is being flagged up as the end of an era, Italy is set to outlaw co-ownership of players from next season, falling into line with the rest of Europe. Italy is the last main footballing nation in Europe under which two teams can effectively share half a particular player’s contract and economic rights.
US pro women’s league NWSL secures ESPN broadcast deal
May 29 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the USA has struck a deal with ESPN to televise nine matches televised this year. Six regular season games are scheduled to be televised on either ESPN 2 or ESPN 3, whilst both playoff semifinals and the championship game will be shown on ESPN 2.
Manchester United owner Malcolm Glazer dies, aged 85
May 29 – American billionaire entrepreneur Malcolm Glazer, head of the family that runs Manchester United and arguably the most controversial of all foreign owners in English football, has died aged 85.
Joma signs first national team deal, replacing Kappa in Bulgaria
By Alexander Krassimirov
May 29 – The Bulgarian Football Union has signed a new multi-year contract with the Spanish sports appareil firm Joma. The company will kit out all of Bulgaria’s national teams and replaces Italian sportswear brand Kappa, whose contract was terminated terminated by mutual consent.
CAS cuts Sammut match-fixing ban from life to 10 years
By Andrew Warshaw
May 29 – Almost two years after the original sanction, former Malta midfielder Kevin Sammut has had his life ban reduced to 10 years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but his career is still effectively over.
Good Practice Guide takes step towards attacking match-fixing from the inside
By Ben Nicholson
May 29 – International footballers’ association FIFPro and UEFA and Birkbeck, University of London, have combined to produce a ‘Good Practice Guide’ which will be presented at the closing conference of Don’t Fix it in Slovenia next week.
Mihir Bose: Politicians shun Europe but Levy loves the continental ways
Much has been made about how Mauricio Pochettino is the ninth permanent manager Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has appointed since he took charge of the club back in 2001. And the scribes have not failed to rub in the fact that, despite all these comings and goings, Spurs have singularly failed to achieve the status that they feel is their due, at least a top four finish in the Premier League every season, garnered with the odd trophy as well.
UEFA fined in Croatian court for false match-fixing allegation
May 28 – UEFA’s relentless crackdown on match manipulation has seemingly gone one step too far after the organisation itself was sanctioned for wrongly accusing a Croatian referee. But whether Europe’s governing body rules the punishment binding and pays up is a different matter.
Adidas puts its stripes on the line with World Cup social media blast
By Tom Parsons
May 28 – Adidas has launched its World Cup marketing and social media campaign, and in a breakaway from the traditional approach by brands to social media, the sportswear giant is allowing people to make the decision to be “all in” or “nothing” with Adidas during the world’s biggest football tournament.
Dilma counters Ronaldo, as Rebelo says Brazil will be proud
May 28 – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has fired back at criticism voiced by Ronaldo, one of the country’s footballing icons, over preparations for the World Cup in the latest spat to undermine the tournament.
Central American Cup to finish with a triple-header in LA
May 28 – The Central American Football Union (UNCAF) which is playing its Central American Cup 2014 in the USA later this year, has announced that the final will be played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 13. This is the first time the regional championship has been played outside the Central American region and the 13th time the Cup has been played, as UNCAF prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary.