FIFA give Maracanã once over as Confederation and World Cup deadlines loom
By David Gold
September 8 – A delegation of FIFA and Brazil 2014 members have visited the renovation works on the iconic Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
ICSS calls for tailored, international approach to tackling security threats in sport
By Andrew Warshaw
September 7 – The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), the not-for-profit organisation based in Qatar, highlighted a number of pressing needs to make sport events safer when its officials attended this week’s Sponsors Sports Venue Summit in Munich.
Kuwait coach Tufegdžić out of coma following shooting
By David Gold
September 7 – Goran Tufegdžić, the coach of the Kuwaiti national football team, has come out of a coma after being shot last month by a neighbour in his native Serbia.
Platini continues to push for a 2022 winter World Cup in Qatar
By Andrew Warshaw
September 7 – UEFA President Michel Platini has reiterated his call for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be played in winter to avoid the searing heat of the desert summer where temperatures can reach 50 degrees.
World Cup winner Del Piero signs for Sydney FC
By Andrew Warshaw
September 7 – Australian soccer has broken new ground with Sydney FC’s signing of iconic Italian playmaker Alessandro Del Piero.
Blatter sends condolences to Swedish football family following death of Brännström
By Andrew Warshaw
September 7 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has written to the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) to express his regret following the death of 29-year-old striker Victor Brännström, the latest footballer to collapse on the field of play.
Europe’s top managers give backing to UEFA Europa League
By Andrew Warshaw
September 6 – The much-maligned Europa League, the UEFA Cup in its former guise, has gained strong support from Europe’s top club coaches who believe it is now a credible tournament in its own right.
Fulham pursue complaint against Liverpool for Dempsey pursuit
By David Gold
September 6 – Fulham are pursuing a complaint against Premier League rivals Liverpool over the chase for American midfielder Clint Dempsey this summer.
Russian Premier League pens media deal with IMG
By Andrew Warshaw
September 6 – The Russian Premier League has sealed a three-year media rights deal with IMG, the latest move in the country’s increasing affluence at club level.
AFC Bin Hammam probe continues despite suspension ending
By Andrew Warshaw
September 6 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) says its investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement by its former President Mohamed Bin Hammam is continuing even though his latest suspension has now expired.
UEFA gives go-ahead to cross-border women’s league
By Andrew Warshaw
September 6 – A new women’s transnational league featuring teams from Belgium and the Netherlands has been given the green light by UEFA, evoking the so-called men’s Atlantic League several years ago that never got off the ground.
Political opponents try to topple Warner
By Andrew Warshaw
September 5 – Political opponents of Jack Warner continue to turn up the heat on the former FIFA powerbroker with a demand that he be kicked out of Government in his native Trinidad and Tobago.
Bilbao could sue Bayern over Martínez signing
By David Gold
September 5 – Athletic Bilbao President Josu Urrutia has indicated that the Basque club could sue German giants Bayern Munich over the signing of Javi Martínez.
Gill to put club allegiances aside to claim seat at UEFA’s top table
By Andrew Warshaw
September 5 – Manchester United chief executive David Gill admits he will have to put his club allegiances to one side to clinch a place on UEFA’s top table next year.
Lithuanian football boss suspended over embezzlement allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
September 5 – The head of the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF), Julius Kvedaras, has been suspended for allegedly misusing federation funds donated by UEFA.