Makudi protests innocence over FIFA land deal
By Andrew Warshaw
November 5 – Under-fire FIFA Executive Worawi Makudi has once again denied any wrongdoing as the net closes in around him for allegedly using development funds for his own use.
Gold Cup 2025
El Salvador self destruct in Houston as Canada Marsch on
Canada 2-0 El Salvador
June 24 – Fresh from emerging from a Concacaf-imposed timeout, Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch returned to the technical area at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, knowing any more misbehaviour would send him back to the naughty room. He needn’t have worried as their opponents El Salvador simply imploded in a red mist.
Sepp Blatter: Mistakes were made, some of them horrific, but we are determined to remedy the ills of the past
Dear readers of insideworldfootball
On the occasion of the 13th edition of the International Football Arena (IFA) conference in Zurich, on November 7 and 8, I will present updates and reflections that underline our road towards a different FIFA. The 200 opinion leaders from around the world, gathered at the IFA, will witness our determination to remedy the ills of the past, and how we intend to improve the way we do business.
Much of the wealth in German football is down to the building of stadia, according to leading sports marketing official
By David Gold
November 4 – Philipp Hasenbein (pictured), the managing director of SPORTFIVE Germany, claims that the building of new stadia has been a key driving force behind the growth of the Bundesliga and German football in recent years.
FIFA demands clarification from Emirates as sponsorship deals hangs in the balance
By Andrew Warshaw
November 4 – World football’s governing body has asked for further clarification over reports that one of its key sponsors, Emirates Airlines, is considering whether or not extend the current agreement between the two parties.
Sion President Constantin slams Platini as “king’s jester”
By Andrew Warshaw
November 4 – FC Sion President Christian Constantin has vowed to keep fighting to get his club reinstated in the group stage of the Europa League describing UEFA boss Michel Platini as a “king’s jester”.
If you sign an agreement you must abide by it, says Gandini as he enters TV rights debate
By Andrew Warshaw
November 4 – Umberto Gandini, the AC Milan operations director and one of the most prominent voices in European football, has entered the debate over the rights and wrongs of clubs wanting to sell their television rights individually.
MATCH names World Cup hospitality sales agents for key global markets
By David Gold
November 3 – FIFA’s exclusive hospitality programme rights holder MATCH Hospitality has appointed Jet Set Sports as the exclusive sales agent for Norway, Sweden, Russia and Australia for hospitality packages at the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup, both being held in Brazil.
Blatter to make special public appearance at IFA Zurich
By Andrew Warshaw
November 3 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter will make one of his first appearances since announcing his anti-corruption drive when he takes centre stage at the International Football Arena (IFA) on Monday (November 7).
FIFA demand answers from Makudi over land purchase
By Andrew Warshaw
November 3 – Thailand’s Worawi Makudi is edging closer to becoming the latest FIFA powerbroker to face possible scandal despite denying he used development funds for his own purposes.
“People have been saying I’m past it for 10 years” admits Beckham
By David Gold
November 3 – LA Galaxy star David Beckham has again used a high-profile opportunity to continue to push his dream of competing for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Emirates re-considering sponsorship deal with FIFA after bribery scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
November 2 – The fallout from the unprecedented FIFA bribery scandal has extended as far as one of the organisation’s major sponsors, with Dubai’s Emirates Airlines undecided whether to renew its multi-million dollar deal after 2014.
“We are in a different mode” now head of Russia 2018 to tell IFA
By Andrew Warshaw
November 2 – Alexey Sorokin could be forgiven for taking the rest of the year off, putting his feet up and patting himself on the back for a job well done.
FIFA urged to conduct World Cup bid investigation by British Select Committee
By David Gold
November 2 – The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has reiterated its call for FIFA to conduct a full independent investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively in December 2010.
Orange shows African commitment through Football Fan Club
By David Gold
November 2 – Orange has reaffirmed its commitment to African football with plans to take the mobile platform Football Fan Club to a number of new countries.
FIFA make donation to help rebuild Christchurch after earthquake
By David Gold
November 2 – FIFA has donated $300,000 (£188,000/€218,000) to efforts to boost football infrastructure in Christchurch, where a devastating earthquake struck the Canterbury region earlier this year.