Algeria’s nationwide World Cup celebrations end in injuries and tragedy
November 21 – The volatile nature of African football has once again led to fatal consequences after what should have been a joyous occasion turned into tragedy.
David Owen: Bosnia aside, my fix of new World Cup blood is drying up before its time
More than 83 years after 13 teams contested the inaugural competition in Uruguay, the flow of FIFA World Cup debutants has slowed to a trickle.
Of the 32 countries who have fought their way through to next year’s showpiece in Brazil, only Bosnia and Herzegovina have never been to the World Cup finals before. It was a similar story three years ago in South Africa where Slovakia were the only newcomers.
The only previous occasion when there was just the one newbie came the first time the competition visited Brazil,
Aussies get a handle on self promotion and push the Twitter boundaries
By Tom Parsons
November 20 – Football Federation Australia (FFA) has come up with a new way of displaying their players names on official team sheets for their international home games. Instead of the traditional name and number combination that has served clubs and countries well over the years, the FFA introduced their squad by putting their Twitter handles on the team sheet for their 1-0 win over Costa Rica at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium this week.
Lee Wellings: How strong is the African World Cup challenge?
It was a goal so beautifully created and finished it almost made you forget the cold.
Victor Moses was involved twice, and cleverly fed full-back Francis Benjamin. A great cross was finish with international class, by Shola Ameobi.
This moment of perfection came during Nigeria’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Italy in London. No doubt, the African champions can play. But are they contenders to actually win the World Cup in Brazil?
Orlando City Soccer trades up to win MLS franchise and schedules 2015 start
By Paul Nicholson
November 20 – While David Beckham and his people discuss whether to open up shop in the MLS in Miami or not, Orlando has stolen a lead with MLS commissioner Don Garber unveiling Orlando City Soccer as the next expansion franchise yesterday. Garber made the announcement at a community celebration near the site where a new downtown stadium will be constructed.
Exclusive: Brazil’s dope testing failure leaves ‘shocked’ FIFA with few options
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
November 20 – FIFA’s leading medical expert has warned that anti-doping measures at next year’s World Cup could be seriously compromised as a result of having to transport samples halfway round the world for testing.
Poland’s Ruch Chorzow unveils new €23m stadium design
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
November 20 – Poland’s Ruch Chorzow has selected the design of its new stadium. The club said that it expects to obtain planning permission in June 2014, with construction work at the 12,000-seat facility starting two months later.
Osasu Obayiuwana: A chat with a (penitent) match-fixer
Considering the cold fact that Mario Cizmek is set to spend a minimum of 10 months in prison, for accepting money to fix six Croatian first division matches in the 2009/2010 season, the 38-year old is surprisingly calm about what awaits him.
He spoke frankly about his criminal activity at the last ‘Play The Game’ conference in Denmark, an international event that tackles the uncomfortable issues of ethics and good governance in sport.
Gibraltar makes world debut with a draw against Slovakia
By Andrew Warshaw
November 20 – All eyes may have been on the four nail-biting playoffs but the most historic European encounter Tuesday night took place in the Algarve region of Portugal where tiny Gibraltar staged their first full international since winning their 14-year battle to become UEFA’s 54th and smallest member.
China tops hosts list as countries buy in to impact of major event sports
By Mark Ledsom
November 20 – China has held on to top spot in an international ranking of major sporting event hosts published by the sports data research company Sportcal.
Night of play off drama sees France through and Ronaldo imperious
By Andrew Warshaw
November 20 – European representation at next year’s World Cup is now complete after France incredibly came back from the brink to become the first country ever to overcome a two-goal first-leg playoff deficit.
Champions League ‘worth every penny’ as BT lines up next assault on old order
By Mark Ledsom
November 20 – The head of BT TV insisted on Tuesday that the company´s audacious £897 million purchase of the UEFA Champions League broadcast rights earlier this month had been “worth every penny”, and also suggested that BT was ready to mount a similarly aggressive bid during the next round of bidding for the English Premier League TV rights.
Cole hammers his own club on twitter after training game massacre
By Tom Parsons
November 19 – West Ham forward Carlton Cole has become involved in an unusual twitter rant… against his own club!
Hull fan group wants name change plan put to season ticket holder vote
By Paul Nicholson
November 19 – Hull City AFC supporters are not giving up their fight to retain their name in the face insistent owner Assem Allam’s (pictured) repeated statements that he will change the club’s name to Hull Tigers.
City boost their NYCFC presence using player assets and a viral video
November 19 – NYCFC, the new New York City MLS franchise scheduled to start play in the 2015 season, is increasing its marketing presence and trading on the group’s assets with a new video featuring Manchester City players in New York.