The Labour Party called for the introduction of "fan-fare" train tickets which would give football supporters "more flexibility" when traveling to rescheduled fixtures. The proposed scheme "would allow fans to transfer advance tickets without a fee or mark-up in price." Train travelers are currently charged a £10 ($12.93) administration fee to change the date of an advance ticket (London INDEPENDENT, 8/10).
Iran has been asked to "provide further information" to FIFA over a decision to drop Masoud Shojaie and Ehsan Hajsafi from the national team after they turned out against an Israeli side for their Greek club. Iran's Football Federation last week "strongly condemned their participation." FIFA's statues "ban political interference in its affiliated national associations" (REUTERS, 8/11).
The Premier League released its official anthem as a single on Spotify. The track, "This Is Premier League," was written and recorded by MassiveMusic as part of last season's sonic rebrand of the league. The track is played in all EPL stadia before every match (MassiveMedia).
A police officer was taken to hospital and "children as young as 10 were injured in a brawl after a football match in Middlesbrough." Police said that 200 football fans fought in a coach park outside of Riverside Stadium following the League Championship Middlesbrough-Sheffield United game on Saturday (London GUARDIAN, 8/13).
Iraq's World Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates next month has been moved to Amman, Jordan, from Tehran, an Iraq FA spokesperson said. Iraq has played the majority of its home matches in the final phase of Asia's 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament in Iran "due to security concerns." The UAE FA, however, requested that the Asian Football Confederation move the Sept. 5 encounter (REUTERS, 8/10).
