By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
July 31 – After weeks of negative publicity about his role as head of Thai football and his international image, embattled FIFA vice-president Worawi Makudi has come out fighting to defend his conduct and counter what he claims are untruths circulated by his opponents.
July 31 – Kirsten Nematandani, the incumbent South African Football Association (SAFA) president, has dismissed suggestions that his position is under threat following the decision by two of his deputies to challenge him in September elections.
The season has yet to kick off, but this is a big week for the Barclays Premier League.
On August 1, the seed sown in spectacular fashion just over a year ago by BT, a traditional telephone company, is scheduled to bear its first fruit with the launch of its BT Sport channels.
Two days later, BT Sport will begin its live football coverage with Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard’s testimonial match against Olympiacos of Greece.
July 30 – Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has been formally charged with tax evasion by German prosecutors today. The high profile tax evasion case that has become a political football in Germany in election year, is refusing to be settled quietly. A statement by the Superior Court in Munich said that the decision on whether to go to trial will take place at the end of September. Hoeness’ legal advisors had asked for a month to respond to the charges.
July 30 – UEFA has launched a charity ticket auction for 20 Category 1 UEFA Super Cup tickets for the match between FC Bayern München and Chelsea FC at the Stadion Eden in Prague, August 30.
July 30 – Asian Football Confederation vice-president Moya Dodd has vowed to work for the development of the game in the continent in her additional role as the co-opted member of the FIFA executive committee. Dodd, who finished runner-up in the historic three-way battle for an elected women’s seat at the FIFA Congress in May, instead gained a one-year co-opted role.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – Japan has lodged a protest with the East Asian Football Federation demanding an investigation into an inflammatory banner displayed by South Korean fans at the East Asian Cup final in Seoul.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – Sunil Gulati, head of the US Soccer Federation whose country lost out to Qatar in the battle to stage the 2022 World Cup, has questioned the entire bidding process and called for greater transparency in future.
By Mark Baber
July 30 – Kick It Out, a campaign is supported and funded by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the Premier League and The Football Association to encourage equality and inclusion has today launched a new free mobile app which allows players and fans to directly report racist or homophobic abuse to Kick It Out which will then follow up with football authorities and if necessary the police.
July 30 – Crisis Scottish club Hearts are teetering on the brink just days before the start of the domestic season while a fans group are attempting to save another Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic.
By Matt Scott
July 30 – The Premier League club Cardiff City yesterday appointed as chairman a man who until recently led a company under investigation by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office [SFO] amid allegations of corruption and bribery.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – Scores of tributes, including one from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, continue to pour in following the shock death of Ecuador international striker Christian Benitez from heart failure at the age of just 27. Benitez was rushed to hospital complaining of abdominal pains following his debut for Qatar’s El-Jaish as a late substitute on Sunday. He died the following day after what the Ecuadorean federation has now confirmed was a cardiac arrest.
July 29 – Europol is spreading its football wings and has announced today it is to conduct an investigation into alleged football match fixing by the Russian mafia. The investigation will also look at organised crime groups in the Balkans. Rob Wainwright, the head of the EU police intelligence agency, told the Sunday Times said that in addition to the 380 matches that have been investigated since February, a further 300 were now considered suspicious.
July 27 – Attracted by sponsorship deals, shirt sales and TV rights deals, Premier League clubs, and Barcelona, have been looking to Asia’s billion football fans. Following in the footsteps of Manchester United, clubs are focusing on Asia, spending time there in pre-season and opening up local offices.
By Mark Baber
July 29 – With BT shortly launching it new sports channels showing Premier League football, Sky, which has managed to see off previous major rivals, has been talking up the benefits of competition and has released new figures showing increased revenues and profits.