Here are some of last week’s top stories from around the global soccer industry…
UEFA’s Platini Appeals Soccer Suspension to Top Sports Court (Bloomberg)
European soccer boss Michel Platini appealed his 90-day suspension to sport’s top court.
The Frenchman asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn a ruling by FIFA’s ethics panel, which last month banned him and FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter.
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Ten Metropolitan Areas from Across the United States to Host Copa America Centenario (U.S. Soccer)
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the Copa America Centenario Local Organizing Committee (LOC) have determined the 10 U.S. metropolitan areas that have been selected to host matches during the historic Copa America Centenario to be played from June 3-26, 2016, in the United States.
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On the record: MLS commissioner Don Garber at BlazerCon (philly.com)
As promised, here’s the transcript of Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber’s remarks at BlazerCon. He first spoke on stage in a conversation with “Men in Blazers” co-host Roger Bennett, then met with reporters to answer a few more questions afterward.
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Volkswagen ‘considering ending Bundesliga club sponsorship’ (the guardian)
Bundesliga clubs Hannover 96, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04 as well as the second division 1860 Munich are on the list of sponsorships Volkswagen AG is considering dropping to cut costs amid its emissions scandal, according to reports in Bild am Sonntag.
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River sign mega extension to kit sponsorship deal (Reuters)
South American champions River Plate have signed a deal unprecedented in Argentine soccer with sportswear giant Adidas that will bring the club $10 million a year until 2021.
The deal puts River, who won their third Libertadores Cup this year, at the top of the Argentine game in terms of revenue thanks to two years of growth under the club presidency of Rodolfo D’Onofrio.
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The Premier League and its Clubs contributed £3.4bn to UK GDP in 2013/14 (FC Business)
EY has undertaken a study to assess the impact made by the Premier League and its constituent Clubs on the UK’s economy. EY’s Chief Economist, Mark Gregory, said that “The game of football is of considerable economic, social and cultural significance to the UK, and our report is the first attempt to quantify this.”
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Sporting Kansas agree Children’s Mercy naming rights deal (Soccerex)
Major League Soccer (MLS) side Sporting Kansas City have agreed a ten-year naming rights deal for Sporting Park stadium with Children’s Mercy.
Under the terms of the deal, from 1st January 2016 the side’s home ground will be re-named Children’s Mercy Park and the Kansas City-based pediatric medical centre will also have exclusive naming rights to the club’s training centre and the championship pitch at the Swope Soccer Village complex.
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MLS’s final four opt for prudent personnel moves over big spending (ESPN FC)
Since the dawn of Major League Soccer, constructing a competitive roster has been an exercise in finding the small margins. In a league governed by a salary cap as well as some arcane roster rules, a premium was placed on finding the soft spots, better to accumulate that extra bit of talent. Looking at the four teams left in the MLS playoffs, that remains true today.
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Panathinaikos president offers to resign (Goal.com)
Panathinaikos president Giannis Alafouzos intends to offer his resignation following the crowd violence surrounding the club’s Greek Super League match with rival Olympiacos.
Saturday’s Greek derby was abandoned prior to kickoff due to Panathinaikos fans clashing with police at Apostolos Nikolaidis stadium, while Olympiacos players were pelted with missiles as they came out for their warm up in Athens.
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FIFA Ethics Committee Recommends New Sanctions for Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini (New York Times)
Ethics investigators for FIFA, the ruling body of world soccer, have recommended sanctions be imposed on Sepp Blatter, the organization’s longtime president, and Michel Platini, the head of soccer’s European confederation, the organization said on Saturday.
Mr. Blatter and Mr. Platini, who have both been provisionally suspended from world soccer since early October as FIFA conducted an internal investigation into a financial transaction between them, will have the opportunity to defend themselves at a hearing, which is expected to take place in December.
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This article originally appeared on Business of Soccer. To learn more about BOS you can find them on Twitter or Facebook.
