State-owned Qatari television network Al Jazeera prides itself on hard hitting, let-the chips-fall-where-they fall reporting. Yet, it has systematically avoided in recent days the one story that potentially could affect the very future, shape and security of the wealthy Gulf state: controversy over the timing of the 2022 World Cup and mounting criticism of living … Read more
Much like the Muslim Brotherhood, militant soccer fans in Egypt and Turkey are fighting for their existence. Turkish police raided the homes of and arrested 72 militant supporters of Istanbul’s top clubs – Besiktas JK, Fenerbahce FC and Galatasaray SK — after a derby between Besiktas and Galatasary was abandoned because fans invade the pitch. … Read more
“It’s good quality football, that excites the fans, gets them on the edge of their seats, so that you’re excited by what you see, or what you are about to see. When I was a kid growing up, I used to go to Manchester United, and I’m old enough to remember Bobby Charlton, Dennis Law, … Read more
Middle Eastern investors have adopted a new strategy of buying low and selling high with a series of acquisitions of second and third tier European soccer clubs. In the most recent acquisition, Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad, the billionaire former president of Saudi Arabia’s most successful club Al Hilal and founder and chairman of the … Read more
BULGARIAN PREMIER LEAGUE – 2012-13 Newcomers Ludogorets had won the title at their first season in the Premier League, having won the Second Division the year before. They won the cup too, to complete an amazing season for them. Many were doubtful of their ability to replicate this performance 12 months on but they were involved again in the … Read more
Saudi Arabia’s secretive ruling family is mulling allowing women to attend soccer matches. No Saudi official has suggested that the controversial issue is under discussion but if past experience is any indication, a series of statements and denials suggests that a debate is underway. The debate would be a revival of closed door discussions that … Read more
The temperature outside has been soaring and the rays of sunshine are starting to wear on more than just your skin. Your joints ache with every movement and your body screams at your stupidity while also pleading with you in a child-like innocence to just find the neatest soft, comfortable location and just sleep. Yet, … Read more
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has announced a series of measures to prevent soccer stadiums and university campuses from becoming major protest venues as the football season and the academic year begins. In doing so, Mr. Erdogan is taking a leaf out of the playbook of Egyptian military strongman Gen. Abdel Fattah … Read more
The world and European footballing authorities have failed in their attempt to sell the World Cup and European Championship to pay-to-view channels Last week brought a significant victory for football fans in Britain as the European Court of Justice ruled that FIFA and UEFA were wrong to challenge the decision by a number of European nations, including the … Read more
Have you ever had trouble losing weight? Well, if you’re a fan and supporter of American football (or even football in general), last month’s “shocking, eh?” results in the 2013 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) U-17 World Cup Qualification Championships in Panama, combined with the opening performance of the United States … Read more