USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
Let us get this right. Luis Suarez is no more a cheat than most football players. I agree with those that argue that the moral spasm his handball goal has evoked is way over the top if not a touch hypocritical. I wonder if the critics have been to many football matches or if they have perhaps been too busy with other things to concentrate on what they are seeing.
If we are saying Suarez was cheating,
By Andrew Warshaw
January 9 – Saudi investors have pulled out of a plan to take a majority stake in Panathinaikos following opposition from shareholders of the stricken Greek giants.
By Mark Baber
January 9 – North Korean striker Jong Tae-Se (pictured) is moving from 1. FC Köln to South Korean K-League club Suwon Samsung Bluewings. He has reportedly signed a contract worth 400 million won and the Koreans have paid 1. FC Köln €300,000.
By Mark Baber
January 9 – The Africa Cup of Nations (ACON), which kicks off in 10 days time, is struggling to meet ticket sales targets, but organisers say sales are picking up as the tournament nears.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 9 – Scottish football looks set to enter a new era after agreement was reached between the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League for a total overhaul of the professional league structure.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 9 – In what could be construed by some observers as a clear message to its European counterpart to crack down harder on racism, FIFA have taken strong action against Bulgaria and Hungary for the behaviour of their fans.
January 8 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter in his speech at last night’s FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala addressed the importance of taking risks and accepting defeat gracefully, the racist issues that have dominated the news, and concluded with a reminder of the significance of the game globally.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 8 – Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose anti-racism stance by leading his AC Milan team off the pitch gained worldwide publicity, says he’d have no hesitation in doing it again if he is subject to further abuse.
By Mark Baber
January 8 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is organising a first of its kind FIFA-AFC Football Medicine Regional Course – Central and South Region, starting January 14, 2013.
By Mark Baber
Janaury 8 – Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek has called for a comprehensive study on the proposal to limit the terms of sports association leaders.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 8 – UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Lazio following the Europa League tie against Tottenham Hotspur in November that was marred by anti-Semitic abuse from the home fans and violent attacks on Tottenham supporters outside a bar the night before the game.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 8 – While his acceptance speech could not have been much briefer, the standing ovation and warm applause could not have been more prolonged for the so-called little magician who many feel has now overtaken Pele and Diego Maradona as the best footballer the world has ever seen.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 8 – Paris St Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi has stated that the club’s unusual commercial arrangement with the Qatar Tourism Authority is entirely justifiable both as a piece of business and also in enabling PSG to meet UEFA’s financial fair play criteria.
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 8 – Paris St Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi has stated that the club’s unusual commercial arrangement with the Qatar Tourism Authority is entirely justifiable both as a piece of business and also in enabling PSG to meet UEFA’s financial fair play criteria.
By Staff Reporter
January 7 – The FIFA World Player Gala tonight at the Kongresshaus, Zurich, will have the awards as its centrepiece, but just as much attention will be the message from FIFA President Sepp Blatter in his welcoming remarks.