Hi-tech new England training base opens to public
By David Gold
September 30 – The new Perform centre at St George’s Park, which will be used by the England national team as its training base, has opened to the public.
FIFA rejects claims that 2014 World Cup kick-off times will harm players’ health
By Andrew Warshaw
September 30 – Accusations that it put commercial considerations, in particular television coverage in Europe, before the health of players when deciding on kick off times for the 2014 World Cup were totally rejected today by FIFA.
Budget for Russia 2018 World Cup doubles to nearly $20 billion
By Duncan Mackay
September 30 – Russia will spend a projected $19.2 million (£11.9 billion/€14.9 billion) on getting ready to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018, the country’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko revealed today.
Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg to host matches in 2018 FIFA World Cup finals
By David Gold
September 29 – Fans attending the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup could spend whole days or more travelling after the confirmation tonight that Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg are among the 11 cities chosen to host matches.
Debt-ridden CSKA Sofia faces expulsion from Bulgarian league
By David Gold
September 28 – CSKA Sofia are set to be thrown out of the Bulgarian championship, if UEFA carries through on its threat to ban the club from European competition for three seasons.
Arsenal reveal increased pre-tax profits of £37 million
By David Gold
September 28 – Arsenal have revealed profit before tax of £36.6 million ($59 million/€46 million) for the last financial year ending May 31, 2012, a substantial increase on the previous figures.
FIFPro slams Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s lie detector tests
By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – The international players’ union FIFPro has criticised a Bulgarian club for requesting its players and coaches to take lie detector tests following a surprise defeat.
Real Madrid extend Adidas kit deal until 2019/2020 season
By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – Real Madrid have tied up their existing kit supply deal with adidas until the end of the 2019-2020 season.
Euro 2016 qualifiers to be drawn in March 2014
By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – The draw for the qualifying campaign for the expanded 2016 UEFA European Championship in France will take place in Nice on March 9, 2014, France 2016 President Jacques Lambert has revealed.
FIFA releases Brazil 2014 World Cup times
By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – European fans will have to either stay awake or get up in the early hours of the morning to watch certain matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil because of the time difference.
Terry found guilty of racial abuse
By Andrew Warshaw
September 27 – Former England captain John Terry was found guilty of racial abuse today and banned for four matches by the Football Association (FA).
Scolari hired by Brazilian Government to promote 2014 FIFA World Cup
By David Gold
September 27 – Luiz Felipe Scolari, who coached Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup, has been hired by the nation’s Government to promote the 2014 FIFA competition taking place in the South American country.
Almeyda reveals Serie A match-fixing and doping allegations
By David Gold
September 27 – Matías Almeyda has made a series of allegations relating to match-fixing and doping from his time in Italy’s Serie A, in another blow to a league already badly hit by scandal.
UEFA’s Roxburgh defends expansion of European Championship
By Andrew Warshaw
September 27 – UEFA’s decision to expand the European Championship finals in 2016 from 16 to 24 teams, criticised in some quarters for watering down the tournament, had to happen eventually says the organisation’s outgoing technical director Andy Roxburgh.
FIFA’s Goal programme hits landmark $250 million investment figure
By Andrew Warshaw
September 27 – FIFA may have been rocked by scandal over the past 18 months but the organisation’s Goal programme, set up 13 years ago to assist developing nations, has reached a new milestone.