Russia fans have "started a crowdfunding bid to raise the funds" required to sack national team coach Fabio Capello. Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said that Capello "could be fired this month." But the former England boss was handed a "lucrative contract extension" in Jan. '14 that tied him to the nation until after the 2018 World Cup. Given the Russian Football Union's financial predicament, Russia fans Anton Danilkovich and Vladislav Shunaev started a crowdfunding bid, titled "Fabio, go home," on Tuesday to raise money for his dismissal (ESPN, 6/17). ... The Belgian National Study Commission has "approved a new league format" that will be introduced in the '16-17 season. Only 24 clubs will continue to play professional football, with 16 clubs in the top-flight and eight clubs in the second division. In its current format 18 clubs make up the second division, "but this number will be trimmed down to just eight with the aim of more sustainability in the league." Those eight clubs will be subject to "rigid financial conditions if they want to be a part of the closed circuit of Belgian professional football" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 6/17). ... A "crucial tie" at the Women's World Cup and a "belated scoring binge by Chinese men in a Russia 2018 qualifier have raised China's expectations for the most popular game." The two games held 12 hours and 11,000km apart "were hailed by Chinese as 'a stepping stone' to greater successes." A commentary by Chinese news portal Sina said, "They are a good omen for the Chinese soccer reform. ... We believe China are on the right track to better performances and results" (XINHUA, 6/17).
