Premier League launches new under-21 competition
By David Gold
August 6 – A new competition for players under 21 years of age in England is being launched to help improve the quality of home-grown young footballers in the country.
Gold Cup 2025
USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica
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,
Blackburn’s friendly against NEC Nijmegen called off following fan violence
By Andrew Warshaw
August 6 – A pre-season friendly between Blackburn Rovers and Dutch club NEC Nijmegen (pictured left) was called off on Sunday because of the threat of fan violence.
Prosecutor in Italian match-fixing scandal seeks lengthy ban for Bonucci
By David Gold
August 5 – Leonardo Bonucci is facing a ban of up to three and a half years following a request by the prosecutor in the Italian match fixing scandal.
Espinoza’s efforts in vain as Honduras exits Olympic competition
By David Gold at Wembley
August 4 – If the London 2012 Olympic football tournament was meant to be dominated by Brazil’s Neymar, obviously no-one told Honduran Roger Espinoza, who lit up today’s quarter-finals, although it was not enough as his team crashed out.
David Gold: It looks like UEFA’s financial fair play initiative might just be working
Financial uncertainty is hindering the pre-season preparations of La Liga outfit Málaga. Despite being bankrolled by its wealthy Qatari owner, players’ wages have, reportedly, not been paid.
The club is also on the brink of losing its best player, the Spain international Santi Cazorla (pictured below, centre), to Premier League side Arsenal. A number of Spanish newspapers have also reported that Málaga’s owner Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nassar Al-Thani is looking to sell the club.
Reigning champions US reach last four of women’s Olympic tournament
By David Gold
August 3 – The United States continued the defence of their Olympic women’s football title with a 2-0 victory over New Zealand at St James’ Park in Newcastle, to reach the semi-finals.
Disgraced Havelange’s name to controversially remain on Rio 2016’s main Olympic stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
August 3 – Organisers of the 2016 Rio Olympics have controversially decided to keep João Havelange’s name on their main stadium (pictured) despite the former FIFA President being tarnished by the ISL bribery scandal.
IOC content with FIFA decision not to punish Japan on Olympic match-fixing admission
By Tom Degun
August 3 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has admitted it is content with the decision from FIFA not to punish the Japan women’s football team after the head coach asked his team not to win in order to avoid playing their Olympic quarter-final in Glasgow.
French Guiana put forward as Brazil 2014 training base
By David Gold at Club France in London
August 3 – French Guiana has unveiled a project it hopes will encourage leading athletes and nations to base themselves in the region prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in neighbouring Brazil.
McCammon wins racism case against Gillingham
By David Gold
August 3 – Former Barbados international Mark McCammon has won an employment tribunal case against Gillingham after his dismissal last year for alleged misconduct, claiming the club treated black players differently from their white counterparts.
Brighton pioneer artwork designed to curb hooliganism
By David Gold
August 3 – A new way of utilising space inside football stadiums, pioneered by Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion, could influence the design of venues used at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, if Phil Nutley has his way.
Weighty ban faces Juventus coach Conte after plea is turned down
By David Gold
August 2 – Juventus coach Antonio Conte could be handed a lengthy ban after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) rejected a plea-bargain from the former Siena manager.
British London 2012 fans booed me because I scared them, claims Suárez
By Andrew Warshaw
August 2 – Uruguay striker Luis Suárez has accused British fans of showing no respect after booing his country’s national anthem before last night’s do-or-die Olympic men’s group game in Cardiff.
Marseille coach Baup denies fraud charges
By David Gold
August 2 – Élie Baup has denied charges of fraud relating to unemployment benefits he is alleged to have receieved while working for French television channel Canal+.
Tolstykh in line for RFU Presidency
By David Gold
August 2 – Nikolai Tolstykh, the executive director of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), is set to become the new President of the Russian Football Union (RFU).