World Football Archives - Page 214 of 940 - Inside World Football

Matt Scott: Man City’s FFP-friendly accounts could take football down a rabbit hole

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In December 2014 Insideworldfootball columnist Matt Scott wrote the column re-published here. It was somewhat prophetic and shed light on a deep fear facing football at the time. Man City later survived UEFA’s financial interrogation and sanctions following an appeal to CAS. Matt will file a new column on the Premier League charges against the club later this week. Meanwhile the ‘what goes around comes around’ epithet springs to mind. And for Man City it looks to have come around again.

Europe

Atsu rescued from Turkish earthquake but search still on for Hatayspor’s Taner Savut

February 7 – Ghanaian international Christian Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor in Turkey, has been rescued from the rubble of the devastating earthquake that has hit the country.

Europe

Nordic governments reinforce bid commitments to hosting 2025 Women’s Euros

February 7 – The four Nordic countries bidding to host the 2025 UEFA women’s championship have had their joint bid reinforced, again, by unequivocal support from their governments.

Europe

Spanish prosecutors oppose bail for Alves who they argue is a flight risk

February 7 – Spanish prosecutors are opposing an appeal by Dani Alves’ defence team for him to be freed on bail while an investigation continues into sexual assault accusations against the Brazilian international.

Europe

Spanish fans continue racial abuse of Vinicius at Mallorca

February 6 – Mallorca fans were filmed racially abusing Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr. during their 1-0 upset win against Real Madrid on Sunday.

Europe

Gartner steps in as interim Austrian FA chief after Milletich resignation

February 6 – Johann Gartner (pictured) has taken over on an interim basis as head of the Austrian FA following the resignation of Gerhard Milletich.

South America

Iranian Koosha Delshad quits Brazil’s Clube Comercial de Paiui after one game

February 6 – Iranian coach Koosha Delshad has resigned from Brazilian club Piaui following racist abuse.

South America

Civil unrest forces Peru to restart Liga1 behind closed doors

February 3 – Peru’s top-flight division kicks off this weekend behind closed doors following a two-week suspension because of the civil unrest that has reportedly cost more than 50 lives.

South America

Messi refuses to rule out 2026, but he is definitely in for Copa America 2024 in US

February 3 – World Cup winner Lionel Messi did not shut the door on returning to the biggest stage of all, but said he was not sure he can still bring what it takes at the 2026 World Cup. The Argentinean will be 39 at the start of the next World Cup.

Europe

Belgian champions Club Brugge’s 16-year wait for a new stadium delayed again by city planners

February 3 – Belgian champions Club Brugge will have to wait longer for a new stadium after their plans for a new stadium again fell foul of city planners.

Europe

Tebas says Premier League is ‘financially doped’ and is damaging other European leagues

February 2 – LaLiga boss Javier Tebas (pictured) has again criticised the Premier League, saying the English top flight is “financially doped” after England’s top 20 clubs spent a combined record $1 billion in the recent transfer window, easily outspending Europe’s other big four leagues multiple times.

Concacaf

AFC and Concacaf sign new accord to develop competitions and share knowledge

February 2 – The AFC and Concacaf have signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focussed on increasing competition between the two regions for men’s and women’s national teams and clubs.

Europe

PSG set up third Pro Residency Academy, their first in Europe

February 2 – In a further expansion of its youth development and commercial footprint, French giants Paris Saint-Germain have opened a new Pro Residency Academy near Evian, France.

Europe

Wembley to bring in safe standing areas for Man Utd-Newcastle Utd League Cup final

February 2 – England’s League Cup final at Wembley between Manchester United and Newcastle on February 26 will feature safe standing areas, marking the first time in 35 years fans are allowed to stand at a domestic final.

Teams

Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico qualified from their Nations League A group with a win and a draw against Trinidad and Tobago, but lost twice to Mexico. Their win over Haiti in the preliminary round play-off was a seismic result.

What to expect

With a team based primarily around US-based college players, and with very little experience of international football, they did well to reach the preliminary round, but their 1-0 win over Haiti who had qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup was as an act of giant killing.