Women’s football strengthened by its social dimension, says Blatter
By David Gold
March 9 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said that women’s football has a stronger social dimension than the men’s game.
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,
Valcke was right, admits Ronaldo as he voices Brazil 2014 World Cup concerns
By David Gold
March 9 – Former Brazil striker Ronaldo, a member of Brazil 2014, has said that FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke’s criticisms of their preparations for the World Cup were correct.
British MP calls for transparency in football club ownership in Parliamentary bill
By David Gold
March 9 – British MP Damian Collins (pictured) has tabled a Parliamentary bill which would require football clubs to reveal the identity of their owners, as well as putting an end to the football creditors’ rule.
United States can win World Cup in 20 years, says Cantona
By Tom Degun at the Global Sports Forum Barcelona in Barcelona
March 8 – Manchester United legend Eric Cantona (pictured) has predicted that the United States can win the World Cup in 20 years by building on the system he is introducing at New York Cosmos, where he is Director of Soccer.
FIFA hit back at Council of Europe report with claims of inaccuracies
By Andrew Warshaw
March 9 – FIFA has wasted no time defending its position by hitting back at a critical Council of Europe report by declaring there were “certain inaccuracies” in a recommendation calling for an internal investigation of Sepp Blatter’s (pictured) re-election as President last year.
ICSS announce new partnership with IfF
By David Gold
March 8 – The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) has announced a partnership with the Institute for Fan Culture (IfF) in Germany.
Brazil and FIFA make vital progress with 2014 World Cup Law
By Andrew Warshaw
March 8 – The World Cup beer battle between Brazil and FIFA has taken a vital step forward with officials finally recommending lifting the strict ban on the sale of alcohol at stadiums.
Council of Europe watchdog calls for investigation into FIFA President Blatter’s re-election
By Andrew Warshaw
March 8 – A key Council of Europe watchdog has questioned FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s (pictured) election victory last year and says more assurances need to be given that it was clean.
Mihir Bose: Abramovich is like a child with a shiny new train set and he certainly doesn’t want to share
The easiest way to understand Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea, is to appreciate that he is like a child with a new toy train set. The child knows his shiny new train set is better than anything possessed by the other kids, and while he wants to show off, he does not want to share his toys with anyone else. All he wants is to show how clever and superior he is in possessing this set.
European Parliament urges UEFA to stamp out club sponsorship by organisations linked to owners
By David Gold
March 8 – A European Parliament report today called on UEFA to ensure that football clubs cannot be sponsored by organisations closely related to their owners, thus circumventing the new Financial Fair Play rules (FFP).
Georgia and Azerbaijan to come together in Euro 2020 co-host bid
By David Gold
March 8 – Georgia is planning to bid to host the European Championships in 2020 with neighbours Azerbaijan, their President, Mikheil Saakashvili, said on Wednesday.
FIFA send stark warning to Gambia after Government disbands GFA
By Andrew Warshaw
March 7 – Gambia is the latest country to risk being kicked out of world football after FIFA warned that the tiny West African country faces “severe sanctions” as a punishment for the Government dissolving the Gambia Football Association (GFA) following a 2013 African Nations Cup qualifying defeat to Algeria.
Blatter shames Valcke in written apology to Brazilian Sports Minister Rebelo
By Andrew Warshaw
March 7 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured right) has heaped even more embarrassment on his number two, Jérôme Valcke (left), by formally writing to Brazil’s Sports Minister, Aldo Rebelo, apologising for Valcke’s disparaging remarks over the country’s slow progress in organising the 2014 World Cup.
Plans for Euro 2012 Irish fan village scrapped
By David Gold
March 7 – A village which Irish football fans hoped to set up during the European Championships this summer in Poznań will not be going ahead as planned.
Qatari firm QSI buys remaining PSG shares from Colony
By David Gold
March 7 – Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), who bought 70 per cent of Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain last summer, has purchased the remaining shares in the company from Colony Capital.