Qatar Airways sign up as sponsor of World Cup bid
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September 10 – Qatar Airways has been announced as as the official airline of the country’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
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,
Exclusive: England World Cup bid will not be distracted by Russian claims promises Sports Minister
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By Duncan Mackay in London
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 10 – England 2018 will not be drawn into a war of words with its main rival Russia following potentially explosive claims by that country’s World Cup bid leader Vitaly Mutko, Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has promised.
Liverpool trademark the Liver Bird
September 9 – Premier League Liverpool has successfully trademarked the Liver Bird, the city’s world-famous symbol.
US ready to concede defeat in 2018 World Cup campaign
By Andrew Warshaw
September 10 – The head of the United States bid to stage the World Cup admitted today that a growing number of FIFA’s 24 voting members favoured the 2018 tournament going to Europe.
Andrew Warshaw: Little known ECA ready to bare teeth
The European Club Association may not be a household name among football fans but Europe’s largest grouping of clubs is beginning to show its teeth.
Unlike its predecessor, the elitist G14, the ECA has no fewer than 197 members across the entire spectrum of the professional game, all speaking with one voice.
Blatter wants to scrap extra-time and reintroduce golden goal
By Andrew Warshaw
September 9 – Sepp Blatter says the controversial “golden goal” rule could be brought back to stop defence-minded teams deliberately playing for penalties.
US bid leader cautious after FIFA complete inspection visit
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By Andrew Warshaw
September 9 - FIFA’s technical inspection team wound up its tour of the United States today with Bid President Sunil Gulati hinting strongly that there was more work to do to clinch the tournament in either 2018 or 2022.
Maracana closed for World Cup facelift
September 9 – Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium, which is due to stage the 2014 World Cup final, has been closed down for two years to be undergo a major $300 million (£175 million) renovation.
US hopes for 2018 ended by Blatter promise that it will come to Europe
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 8 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter appears to have dashed any lingering hopes that the United States has of hosting the 2018 World Cup by claiming that no-one is in doubt that the tournament will be held in Europe.
We have not taken our eye off the ball, claims Lowy
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 8 – Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman Frank Lowy has hit back at claims that the country’s A-League is suffering because too much attention is being paid to their bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA inspection team visit White House to meet Obama aides
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September 8 – FIFA’s World Cup inspectors had breakfast today at the White House, meeting with aides to President Barack Obama.
Leaders in Football Exhibition Sold Out
September 8 - Leaders in Football, the world’s most exclusive football business event, taking place for the third time at Chelsea FC on October 6 and 7 has sold out its exhibition.
Russian 2018 bid leader claims there is corruption in England
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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 7 – Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has today blamed the British media for the racism row that is threatening to overshadow his country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup and claimed that there was corruption in England, an allegation that draw could draw the attention of FIFA watchdogs.
You wouldn’t return a hire car in the condition our footballers come back, clubs tell FIFA
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By Andrew Warshaw in Geneva
September 7 – European clubs today urged the sport’s governing bodies to start paying out insurance premiums to cover highly prized players injured on international duty.
Scrap meaningless friendlies, top clubs demand
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By Andrew Warshaw in Geneva
September 7 – European clubs, led by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, today called on FIFA to scrap worthless internationals and stop forcing clubs to release their players for meaningless fixtures.