Bin Hammam claims he is a victim of racism
By Duncan Mackay
September 6 – Mohamed Bin Hammam has claimed FIFA would never have dared to take action against him if he were European.
Serie A strike comes to temporary halt
By David Gold
September 6 – The players’ strike, which has held up the start to the new Serie A season, has been ended temporarily after the Italian Players’ Union and Lega Serie A reached an agreement that will see the season start this Friday (September 9) when AC Milan host Lazio.
ECA seeks to ease burden on players by reducing international calendar
By David Gold in Geneva
September 6 – The European Club Association (ECA) is today set to propose changes to the congested international football calendar as they seek to reduce the burden on players, at the conclusion of their annual congress here.
I’d definitely play for Britain at the Olympics given the chance, says Scot
By David Gold
September 5 – Arsenal and Scotland midfielder Kim Little (pictured) has said she wants to play for Britain’s Olympic football team during next year’s Olympic Games.
Fenerbahçe launch court case against UEFA and TFF
By David Gold
September 5 – Turkish outfit Fenerbahçe have confirmed that they have opened a case against UEFA and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) after they were thrown out of the Champions League and replaced with last year’s runners up Trabzonspor.
Celtic community scheme recognised by ECA
By David Gold in Geneva
September 5 – Glasgow Celtic has won an award for community and social responsibility at the European Club Association (ECA) annual congress here, with Barcelona taking the award for the best club of 2011.
FIGC extends deals with Compass and D&G
By David Gold
September 4 – The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has agreed deals to extend partnerships with Compass and Dolce & Gabbana in a boost to the national team.
Libyans celebrate crucial African Nations Cup win
By David Gold
September 3 – Libya won their first game since the overthrow of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi with a 1-0 win over Mozambique in neighbouring Egypt to put them in with a great chance of qualifying for next year’s African Nations Cup, being held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Maracanã development hit by second strike in as many weeks
By David Gold
September 3 – The renovation of the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, which will be the venue for the 2014 World Cup final, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, has been hit by a second strike in as many weeks by construction workers.
Celtic reinstated in Europa League after FC Sion ban
By David Gold
September 2 – Celtic will take their place in the hardest group of the Europa League after their qualifying round opponents FC Sion were thrown out for flouting a FIFA ban on transfers.
Branding firm awarded for work on Qatar 2022 World Cup bid
By David Gold
September 2 – Branding experts Lambie-Nairn are to be honoured at the prestigious red dot design awards ceremony in Berlin later this year for the work they did on Qatar’s winning bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
DHL sign historic sponsorship deal with Manchester United
By David Gold
September 2 – Manchester United has agreed a £40 million ($66 million/€46 million) deal with DHL to sponsor their domestic training kit, which will last for four years, making it a first for the Premier League champions.
Summer transfer spending climbs new figures reveal
By David Owen
September 1 – Europe’s top football clubs shelled out increased amounts on new players during the summer transfer window, as the sport shrugged off the effects of the continent’s sluggish economic growth.
Manchester United back in the black
By David Gold
September 1 – Manchester United has announced profits of £29.7 million ($48 million/€34 million) as the English outfit’s owners, the Glazer family (pictured), prepare to partially float the club on the Singapore Stock Exchange in an attempt to reduce their £308 million ($499 million/€349 million) debts.
SAFA denies 2013 African Nations Cup hosting deal
By David Gold
September 1 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has denied claims that it will host the 2013 African Nations Cup, insisting that the final decision would be taken by the African Football Confederation (CAF) next month.