Major League Soccer side Sporting KC has "announced a formal partnership" with Brasileiro club Fluminense. The two clubs "will share philosophies, marketing
strategies, business practices, and players too." The agreement "sets an emphasis on the development and exchange of players" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 9/1). ... FIFA "will step up the search for new dates to play the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at talks with football officials next Monday." FIFA said Monday that "the six continental confederations plus clubs, leagues and players' unions from around the world will be represented at its Zurich headquarters on Sept. 8." The meeting will be led by Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa of Bahrain (AP, 9/1).
DAY IN COURT: The Confederation of African Football "has rejected an appeal by Rwanda" against its disqualification from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Rwanda's failure means Congo Brazzaville "will compete in Group A of qualifying, alongside defending champions Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan" (BBC, 8/31). ... Polish Ekstraklasa side Legia Warsaw’s legal problems this season have continued after UEFA "charged the club over a banner" criticizing its disputed exit from the Champions League. The latest case follows the Polish champions’ fans displaying a large image of a pig imposed on a UEFA badge and the slogan "Because Football Doesn’t Matter, Money Does" (AP, 9/1).
