Football
Influential Fifa executive warned and fined in World Cup bid case
Powerful Spanish Football Association (RFEF) president Ángel María Villar Llona was today (Friday) fined and warned by the adjudicatory chamber of the Fifa Ethics Committee for misconduct during the bid investigation surrounding the award of hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Football League adopts ‘English’ moniker as part of rebranding process
The Football League, which operates the three club divisions below the English Premier League, is to be re-named the English Football League (EFL) as part of a wider corporate and competition re-brand.
Fifa cuts presidential candidates after integrity checks
Uefa president Michel Platini and Liberian Football Association (LFA) president Musa Bility have today (Thursday) been excluded from the list of candidates to become the next leader of Fifa, world football’s governing body.
Rayo Vallecano forges path for LaLiga in US market with NASL team
Spanish LaLiga football club Rayo Vallecano has formed a new affiliate team, which will compete in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
DFB president resigns amid World Cup bid scandal
German Football Association (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach has resigned, but maintained his innocence amid mounting pressure relating to a scandal concerning a payment connected to the country’s successful bid for the 2006 Fifa World Cup.
Premier League’s Bournemouth secures US investment
US-based private equity firm Peak6 Investments has acquired a 25 per cent stake in English Premier League football club AFC Bournemouth.
DraftKings engages Opta to aid expansion plans
Daily fantasy sports gaming operator DraftKings has entered into a partnership with sports data provider Opta as it seeks to press forward with expansion plans outside its established North American home market.
Former Brazilian football chief pleads not guilty in New York court
Former Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Jose Maria Marin, who led the organising committee for his country’s staging of the 2014 Fifa World Cup, yesterday (Tuesday) pleaded not guilty to bribery charges in a US court as part of the corruption case that has hit world football’s governing body.
DFB vows cooperation as police raid headquarters in World Cup case
The German Football Association (DFB) has stressed that it is not under investigation but will cooperate with authorities after police raided its Frankfurt headquarters today (Tuesday) and searched the homes of officials in the case surrounding a multi-million euro payment connected to Germany’s successful bid for the 2006 Fifa World Cup.
Tata Motors drives into athlete endorsement market with Messi
Tata Motors has agreed a multi-year partnership with Barcelona and Argentina football superstar Lionel Messi in a deal that represents the Indian automotive company’s first brand ambassador contract.
Sheikh Ahmad drops Fifa reform proposals hint
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, a leading member of the reform committee at football’s global governing body Fifa, has suggested that up to 40 per cent of the reform proposals tabled by ethics and compliance chief Domenico Scala could be rejected.
China’s Rastar Group claims controlling stake in LaLiga club
Chinese manufacturing business Rastar Group has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in LaLiga football club Espanyol in a move that is set to further increase Chinese investment in the Spanish top-tier competition.
Blatter outlines further World Cup vote allegations
Suspended Fifa president Sepp Blatter has claimed that Uefa president Michel Platini backed out of a “gentleman’s agreement” to support the US bid to host the 2022 World Cup after coming under pressure from former France President Nicolas Sarkozy to back Qatar.
Russia 2018 World Cup budget safe – Mutko
According to the TASS news agency, the Russian Sports Ministry has been forced to make cuts to the national team ice hockey tournament due to an economic slump that is placing pressure on the government’s budget.
Out of Africa
Owen Evans spoke to Hicham El-Amrani, general secretary of the Confederation of African Football about building bridges with his home country and his billion dollar vision for African football.
Frank Dunne: Finding hope and opportunity in the chaos of calcio
Amid the chaos of Italian football, there is opportunity for those organisations that follow the rules.
Nakhid hits out after Fifa election controversy
David Nakhid has hit out after his bid to enter the running for the presidency of Fifa, football’s global governing body, was scuppered by a spoiled vote from US Virgin Islands Football Association president Hillaren Frederick.
Blazin’ Squad
Two British expats are on a mission to make America care about soccer, and they hope BlazerCon will make it happen. Owen Evans reports.