By Paul Nicholson in the Bahamas
April 16 – For anyone taking the global annual football confederation congress tour, the Caribbean is the current stop on the schedule which will end in Zurich in May with the main event of the election of the FIFA president. And as in previous elections, the Caribbean is having its day in the FIFA political sun.
April 16 – While their federation presidents were in the Bahamas at the CONCACAF Congress, 15 clubs from nine Caribbean Football Union (CFU) member associations were starting their quest for qualification to the CONCACAF Champions League for the 2015/16 next season.
January 7 – Mexico will host the 2016 FIFA Congress in a year which is increasingly becoming of huge importance for the country and its regional confederation CONCACAF.
September 5 – The Jamaican Premier League launched this week with the announcement that Red Stripe has committed to the sponsorship of the competition for the next five seasons.
By Ben Nicholson
September 3 – Jürgen Klinsmann (pictured) has again voiced his discontent with the MLS calendar, stating categorically that the structure is “not working anymore”. His wish is for the MLS to “extend the season. Obviously you get 21 teams next year. Start earlier, finish later, but open these slots for the national team program.”
By Andrew Warshaw
August 6 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter, in what appeared to be a unilateral stance not sanctioned by US soccer officials, says the MLS is to change its calendar to fall into line with Europe and much of the rest of world football.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 5 – The World Cup may be a month old but surprise quarterfinalists Costa Rica, with just 4.3 million inhabitants, are far from resting on their laurels after disproving more than a few myths about being one of the underdogs in Brazil.
July 30 – Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz have turned to crowdfunding to make up the shortfall in their budget as they prepare for the 8-team 2014 CFU Women’s Caribbean Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago, August 17-27.
By Paul Nicholson
July 24 – FIFA executive committee member Sonia Bien-Amie has become one of only two female presidents currently heading their national federations, the other is Sierra Leone’s Isha Johansen. Bien-Aime was elected president at the Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) at the association’s AGM earlier this week. She has been general secretary of the TCIFA for the past eight years.
July 15 – Adidas have renewed their partnership with the Mexican national team in an eight-year deal that means they will provide playing and training kit up until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
June 11 – Allegations have been made by supporters of Chivas USA that they were subjected to racist abuse by LA Galaxy fans during their MLS game last week.
By David Owen
May 14 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has secured a big financial boost, agreeing a new eight-year television and media rights partnerships with a total of three US networks.
By Paul Nicholson
April 11 – Antiguan clubs are rebelling against their federation, the Antiguan and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), and calling for FIFA or CONCACAF to step in and take control. They want the ABFA audited and full financial transparency by an independent body.
By Paul Nicholson
April 10 – It has emerged that the Paynters St Georges football ground that is home to the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) has been mortgaged for EC$3 million ($1.1 million) at the Antigua Commercial Bank, where ABFA general secretary and Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick is vice chairman.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 7 – After just 15 months in the job, Tom Sermanni has been sacked as coach of the United States’ women’s team just a year ahead of the World Cup finals in Canada.