Here are some of last week’s top stories from around the global soccer industry…
FC Cincinnati Landed One of the Biggest Names in U.S. Soccer in Head Coach John Harkes (WCPO Cincinnati)
Jeff Berding needed a coach who could help carry out his vision of growing soccer to the highest level in Cincinnati.
The FC Cincinnati president and general manager heard through contacts at the United Soccer League that former national team captain John Harkes was looking into coaching jobs, and it didn’t take long to figure out that’s who Berding wanted.
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Defining Characteristics for New Wave of MLS Soccer-Specific Stadiums (Sports Illustrated)
Orlando City has crews building one. D.C. has one in planning, with a site and funding in place. David Beckham hunts for a place to build his in Miami. Even Minnesota has architects sharpening pencils in preparation for that team’s version. They all want something more than just a soccer-specific stadium. They want in on the second wave of MLS soccer-specific venues, a style that boasts new amenities, supporter-section specialties, style and ample fan experiences.
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Beckham Partner: Land Owners ‘Probably Will’ Blow Up Soccer Deal (Miami Herald)
David Beckham’s top Miami negotiator said Thursday that owners of the private land needed for a Miami soccer stadium “probably will blow this deal up,” sounding the alarm over a potential failure of negotiations he said must be completed within a few weeks. In an interview with the Miami Herald Editorial Board, Miami Beckham United’s Tim Leiweke said the partnership continues to make progress with the city of Miami to purchase city land across the street from Marlins Park and then transfer it to the Miami-Dade School Board, which would shield the new stadium from property taxes.
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Ex-Brazilian Soccer Official Pleads Not Guilty in FIFA Probe (Bloomberg)
A former Brazilian soccer official pleaded not guilty in the U.S. to bribery charges as global corruption probes into the sport’s governing body widen to target banks in Europe.
Jose Maria Marin, one of seven people arrested in Switzerland, appeared in Brooklyn, New York, federal court Tuesday on charges that he took bribes from marketing executives seeking lucrative media rights to international soccer tournaments.
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New Pay Deal in Australia Ends Bitter Dispute (Reuters)
A long-running dispute over players wages in Australian soccer ended on Friday with the striking of a new collective bargaining agreement covering the men’s and women’s national teams and the domestic A-league competition.
The resolution comes after months of acrimonious negotiations following the expiry of the previous CBA on June 30, which saw the Socceroos boycott commercial appearances and the women’s team refuse to tour the United States to play the world champions.
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Huw Jenkins Wins Top Prize at Football Business Awards (FC Business)
Football executives from across the UK gathered in London for the annual Football Business Awards which saw Huw Jenkins walk away with the overall fcbusiness Football CEO of the Year award sponsored by TopTix Sport.
At a glittering awards ceremony held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium last night (5th Nov), Swansea City’s Chairman, Huw Jenkins was chosen as overall CEO of the Year from the five divisional winners by a panel at fcbusiness.
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Lionel Messi Joins Tata Motors as Global Brand Ambassador (Soccerex)
Indian carmaker Tata Motors has signed Lionel Messi as a global brand ambassador for its passenger vehicles across all the brand’s markets.
Tata Motors becomes the first Indian brand to receive the Argentine’s endorsement. FC Barcelona forward Messi, a four-time Ballon D’Or winner, is among the most sought-after sporting names and represents a significant coup for the automotive brand.
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Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery to Sue CNN for $1.5m Over Use of Picture (the guardian)
The Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribéry is suing CNN for $1.5m (£996,965) in damages after the American broadcaster used a picture of the former France international to illustrate a story on cryotherapy, his lawyer said on Friday.
“Mr Franck Ribéry … never gave his authorisation and his consent for the use of this picture … of his image … to this publication,” Carlo Alberto Busa told French radio RMC.
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Former U.S. Coach Bob Bradley Leaves Norwegian Club Stabaek (ESPN FC)
Former United States coach Bob Bradley announced his resignation from Norwegian club Stabaek on Thursday.
Reports in Norway and France say Bradley has verbally agreed to a deal to take over French second division club Le Havre, which was purchased by American businessman Vincent Volpe in July.
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News Corp CEO Robert Thomson Plays Down English Premier League Rights Loss (The Sydney Morning Herald)
News Corporation chief executive Robert Thomson has played down Fox Sports’ loss of English Premier League rights to Optus and questioned the value of the world’s most famous football league.
Fox Sports, which is owned by News Corp, earlier this week lost the battle for the Australian rights to England’s top flight football league.
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