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.
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,
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
.jpg)
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
.jpg)
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
.jpg)
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
.jpg)
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.
London Mayor Sports Commissioner backs West Ham Olympic Stadium move
By Tom Degun in London
September 7 – Kate Hoey (pictured right), the London Mayor’s Sports Commissioner, told the London Assembly at City Hall here today that she backs West Ham United’s proposal to move into the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games but warned that they must interact with the community.
FIFA inspectors begin tour in USA
September 6 – A delegation of FIFA inspectors, led by Chilean Football Fedederation President Harold Mayne-Nicholls, has arrived in the United States to assess the Americans’ bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Thomson Sport sign deal with Scottish FA
.jpg)
September 6 – Thomson Sport has been appointed as an Official Travel Partner of the Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA) and an Official Travel Partner of the Scotland Supporters’ Club, it was announced today.
Smertin still confident on Russian World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 6 – Former Chelsea midfielder Alexei Smertin has denied fears his country’s World Cup bid is at the centre of a dirty tricks campaign being waged by the UK media.
Exclusive: We will throw out top clubs who overspend, warns UEFA watchdog
By Andrew Warshaw in Geneva
September 6 – The man charged by European football with making sure clubs spend within their means has re-iterated they could be thrown out of European competition if they fail to balance the books.
Exclusive: Top clubs demand solution to players injured on international duty
By Andrew Warshaw in Geneva
September 6 – European clubs will hold discussions tomorrow over whether to demand insurance payments for players injured on international duty.
Boyce calls for peace in Ireland
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 6 – Jim Boyce, the former President of the Irish Football Association (IFA), who will soon be the UK’s most senior football politician, today urged an end to the in-fighting that is overshadowing the sport there.