Monday's soccer news starts with FIFA president Gianni Infantino's "Shape a better football" message for the federations. In part, Infantino pointed to the obvious steps necessary for the game to return to normal. Resume the schedule, eventually allow fans in the stadiums. He was careful to highlight the different situations for leagues trying to return to play. "Football is already underway or . . .
The 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids again at issue
Tuesday's soccer news starts with a trip back in time to December 2, 2010. That's when FIFA surprised many by naming Russia and Qatar as the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. As soon as then FIFA president Sepp Blatter read the names of the hosts, outrage ensued. That's continued over the years as multiple members of FIFA's executive committee ended up facing criminal charges and convictions . . .
UEFA tries to move forward
Wednesday's soccer news starts with UEFA meeting in part to try and determine a timescale for completing the 2019-20 European season. If this sounds like a topic on endless repeat these days, you're not alone. European soccer's attempt to chart a path through the uncertainty of a global pandemic carries with it the significant constraint of having no clear idea when it will be safe and in the . . .
UEFA’s Ceferin stresses purpose over profit
Tuesday's soccer news starts with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin speaking to the organization's congress in Amsterdam. With European soccer's governing body facing pressure from FIFA as well as from some of its own elite clubs, Ceferin responded by stressing UEFA's role as protector of the bigger picture. The one-sentence synopsis of that he put on repeat at the beginning and end of his . . .
Four years in, Infantino wants more for FIFA
Thursday's soccer news starts with FIFA president Gianni Infantino releasing his plan. Marking four years in charge, Infantino is pushing forward with what he calls the true globalization of the sport. "My vision is for the organization to help develop football in all regions of the world so that many more can compete at the very highest level," Infantino writes. "The goal is to have at least 50 . . .
Manchester City’s situation
Monday's soccer news starts with the same thing most of soccer is talking about, UEFA banning Manchester City from European competition for two seasons over Financial Fair Play. For a team like Manchester City, that means no Champions League and no point for the vast amount of money the club spends. That's what has them in trouble, how they accounted for incoming revenue to stay on the right side . . .
Taking stock of US Soccer as 2020 AGM unfolds
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Feb 13, 2020) US Soccer Players - The US Soccer Federation gathers its membership and executives in Nashville this weekend for its 2020 annual general meeting. A vice-presidential election, some rules and policy proposals, and the usual business review and approval of the budget are the main items on the agenda. Beyond that, it's also a moment to reflect on the . . .
FIFA and the World Football Club Association
The soccer news starts with a new acronym for another group of clubs lobbying for their voices to count at the highest level. This time, it's a collection of eight clubs representing the confederations in discussions with FIFA about the revamped Club World Cup. The World Football Clubs Association had their introductory meeting with FIFA on Friday, in theory giving a way for clubs to voice their . . .
FIFA and UEFA consider the future of the club soccer schedule
By J Hutcherson (Oct 22, 2019) US Soccer Players - As the stakeholders in European club soccer try to turn the Champions League into something different to coincide with the start of the next TV deal, it's worth considering the wider audience. There's plenty of talk about the lessening importance of the group stage and the foregone conclusion that most of the big clubs will advance. To hear the . . .
Europe vs itself for the future of the Champions League
The soccer news starts with what's now an old concern. At some point, it only makes sense that the elite clubs of Europe will decide that they're better off on their own. UEFA's attempts to mullify those clubs will eventually run itself out. European soccer's governing body can only give so much before there's a super league by default. If that's the situation, why would the clubs need . . .
