Infantino says he feels the love in the Caribbean
By Andrew Warshaw
January 19 – FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino is confident Caribbean support can push him over the line when he contests the election on February 26.
World Football
Franchise thinking: MLS treads where NFL fears to go
By Ben Nicholson
January 20 – MLS Commissioner Don Garber (pictured) recently commented that the prospects for an MLS franchise in St. Louis and Sacramento are good, while San Diego needs to “figure itself out”. He intimated that the NFL’s decisions to move into and leave areas, influences the MLS’ franchise decisions.
European football market set to smash $30bn revenue barrier, says report
By Mark Baber
January 19 – Audit firm Deloitte Global predicts that the European football market may generate $30 billion (€27 billion) in revenues in 2016/2017, an $8 billion (€7 billion) increase relative to 2011/2012, and a compound annual growth rate of seven percent.
Stoke are most efficient team in Europe, PSG rank 3rd, Man Utd 5th
January 19 – Stoke City are the most ‘efficient’ team in Europe’s Big 5 leagues, according to the latest data from the CIES Football Observatory. PSG are beaten into third place in the ranking by Villareal, while Manchester United are placed fifth.
CFU brings in penalty shoot outs in group games for its top Cup competition
By Paul Nicholson
January 19 – With FIFA election candidates lobbying for votes and a flamethrower as entertainment for the assembled, the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) focused on its own football activity at the weekend, for the first time holding a ‘public’ draw ceremony for the 2016 CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup in Antigua.
Bolton given lifeline in search for cash to pay £2.2m tax bill
January 12 – Bolton Wanderers, one of the most iconic names in English football, have been given a stay of execution by avoiding an immediate winding-up order.
Galatasaray face ban; Hull, Panathinaikos and Sportlng Lisbon clear FFP
January 19 – Hull City, Panathinaikos and Sporting Lisbon have all settled their financial fair play issues with UEFA but Galatasaray have failed to comply with break-even rules and have been referred to the governing body’s adjudicatory chamber.
Swimming with the fish. Arrested Swiss banker could open a new can of worms
By Paul Nicholson
January 19 – The US investigation into money laundering by South American football officials has gained a wider perspective as news has broken that one of the senior bankers at Swiss bank Julius Baer has been in US custody since the autumn.
La Liga says Real and Atletico transfer bans are excessive
January 18 – The Spanish league has come out in support of Real and Atletico Madrid describing the FIFA transfer bans meted out to both of them as “disproportionate” and “excessive”.
Sexwale gets cold shoulder from Ghana as he struggles for African votes
By Andrew Warshaw
January 18 – FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale’s hopes of gaining the unanimous support of his own African confederation have suffered a further blow with Ghana saying the South African lacks the requisite leadership skills.
NSCAA showcases U.S. Futsal and unveils first Futsal Coaching Diploma
January 15 – The first official Futsal coaching badge in north America has been announced at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) conference in Baltimore this week. The NSCAA Diploma for futsal will be created with the co-operation of U.S. Futsal.
Oil price plunge: has football been caught over a barrel?
By Mark Baber
January 15 – Oil has dipped below $30 a barrel for third day in a row and, with oversupply likely to be exacerbated as Iran enters the market, low oil prices look here to stay. This will have quite dramatic economic consequences across the globe, from which the business of football is not immune.
Chinese buy into Euro 2016 with global sponsorship deal
By David Owen
January 15 – The wave of Chinese investment in world football has reached Europe’s premier national team competition. Hisense, a white goods and electronics company based in the east-coast city of Qingdao has been unveiled as the 10th global partner of Euro 2016, to be played for the first time as a 24-team tournament in France in June and July.
Madrid in chaos: Real transfer ban could keep Ronaldo and Bale in Spain
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Real Madrid and their cross-town rivals Atletico have reacted with shock and dismay after being slapped with transfer bans by FIFA for breaching regulations on the acquisition of non-Spanish minors under the age of 18.
Rummenigge resurrects spectre of breakaway European Super League
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the body that represents Europe’s biggest clubs, has rekindled speculation about a breakaway European Super League.