The FA "has announced its backing for London's bid to host the 2018 Gay Games." A team from the Federation of Gay Games "is currently carrying out an inspection of London's facilities." London "has been shortlisted alongside Paris and Limerick as potential hosts" for the '18 edition of the Gay Games (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 7/16). ... Sahara India Pariwar on Tuesday joined the Indian Badminton League "as it bought the Lucknow franchise ahead of the inaugural first-of-its-kind event in the sport" to be played August 14-31 (PTI, 7/16). ... The J. League "rejected a plan to return to a two-stage format" for the '14 season. Despite that, "the league will investigate how to adopt a different format" from the '15 season or later (KYODO, 7/16). ... Australia football coach Holger Osieck "has slammed Asian clubs for failing to release a number of his players for the East Asian Cup," which starts on Saturday in Seoul. Osieck: "I understand the games are not FIFA-protected, but there is a gentleman's agreement between the competing countries that players from the respective leagues should be released to play" (REUTERS, 7/16).
