Stange takes on Singapore as Phuc steps up in Vietnam
By Mark Baber
May 17 – Singapore and Vietnam have both appointed new supremos for their national teams in advance of the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.
Football League backs off after Scudamore threat to end solidarity cash
By Mark Baber
May 17 – Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore (pictured) has prevented Football League clubs from passing measures to create a fairer level of financial competition in the Championship, leading to accusations of high-handedness from the ‘big brother’ league.
Osasu Obayiuwana: Can the Lions rediscover their teeth?
Cameroon certainly broke new frontiers, as the first African side, in 1990, to reach the World Cup quarter-finals – a barrier that no other team has gone past – as well as making the most appearances by the continent (six) at the finals tournament.
But the Indomitable Lions are a shadow of their moniker at the moment.
With the failure of the four-time African champions to qualify for the last two Cup of Nations in succession,
Blatter: politicians played their part in 2022 Qatar World Cup win
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
May 17 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has conceded that political interests as well as genuine footballing criteria were in part responsible for Qatar winning the right to stage the 2022 World Cup.
Tebas warns four clubs are in severe financial difficulties, two are critical
By Gareth Messenger
May 17 – Javier Tebas, President of the National Professional Football League (LFP), believes that four clubs in Spain are in a frail financial position with two of them on the edge of liquidation.
Spanish clubs out in the cold as federation withholds UEFA licences
By Gareth Messenger
May 17 – Eight Spanish Primera clubs have had their UEFA licence applications turned down by the federation for failure to meet the financial conditions required to play in European competition.
Mixed messages from English FA over new racism penalties
By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – English football is cracking down on racism from next season – but not as strongly as UEFA. Players found guilty of racially abusing an opponent will be suspended for a minimum of five matches, half the sentence UEFA says it will impose in its competitions.
English icon David Beckham calls time on a stellar playing career
By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t the only Manchester United icon to retire from football. Former England captain David Beckham – arguably the most recognised and respected player of his generation – has now announced that he, too, is stepping down at the end of this season after a distinguished career spanning 20 years.
FIFA completes 2014 sponsor programme with signing of Centauro
May 16 – FIFA has announced the final sponsor partner in its World Cup programme, signing Centauro, south America’s leading sports retailer, as a National Supporter. The announcement was made by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke in Rio following a meeting of the local organising committee board.
Tragic death of US man attempting to dribble to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
By Mark Baber
May 16 – US soccer fan, Richard Swanson, was tragically killed by a pick-up truck, two weeks after embarking on a 10,000 mile charity trek aimed at dribbling a football from Seattle to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.
ASEAN countries plan bid for 2034 World Cup
By Mark Baber
May 16 – A group of ASEAN sports ministers have tabled a plan to launch a joint bid to host the World Cup in 2034, according to the deputy president of Malaysia’s football association and AFF member Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (pictured).
Webb adds his voice to criticism of Italian racist sanctions
By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – Jeffrey Webb, chairman of Fifa’s recently established Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force, has issued his own scathing indictment of the Italian authorities for only fining Roma over last weekend’s racist abuse by their fans towards three Milan players.
‘Pilgrimage’ request for Granada fixture change puts LFP in tough position
By Gareth Messenger
May 16 – With just three days notice, Granada city council have written to the LFP requesting that the La Liga match between Granada CF and Osasuna, scheduled for May 18, is switched to an alternative date.
Western Union PASSes expectations with Europa League
By Andrew Warshaw in Amsterdam
May 16 – However fortuitous Chelsea were in their Europa League victory over Benfica on Wednesday night, behind the scenes tournament sponsors Western Union were celebrating their own special landmark. Commercial partners traditionally deliver all kinds of reasons, some more credible than others, for getting into bed with football to enhance their brand awareness. But sometimes a campaign looks such an obvious fit, it seems destined for immediate success.
WADA change may result in fewer failed drug tests in world football
By David Owen
May 16 – The number of positive doping tests in football may be set to fall significantly because of a change implemented by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). WADA this week announced a 10-fold increase in the threshold level for marijuana.