FIFA, which has struggled to find commercial partners since it was battered by a corruption scandal last year, named a Russian bank as its first regional World Cup sponsor yesterday.
The global soccer body said Alfa Bank would “activate sponsorship initiatives” around the 2018 World Cup, which is being hosted by Russia.
FIFA said that, under a new commercial strategy for the World Cup, up to four packages were being offered for regional sponsors in each of five regions it listed as Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa, and Asia.
Werner eager to show his true worth
Timo Werner believes he will be able to show his full potential at RV Leipzig this season following his €10m transfer from relegated Stuttgart.
The 20-year-old forward has long since been regarded as one of Germany’s best emerging talents, although he struggled to live up to that reputation in the past two seasons in Stuttgart.
“I can probably play with fewer hang-ups here because it’s something new and the pressure is not as big as it was in Stuttgart,” said Werner.
Stuttgart-born Werner, who has scored 13 goals in 95 appearances, has left his family home and familiar surroundings to join the top-flight newcomers.
“Living alone will make me more independent and resistant,” the Germany Under-21 international said.
Lampard gets the better of Drogba
Frank Lampard scored for the fifth time in six games and claimed bragging rights over former Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba as New York City beat Montreal Impact 3-1 in Major League Soccer on Sunday.
Lampard, 38, redirected a pass from David Villa with five minutes left to seal the win for the Eastern Conference leaders.
Drogba and Lampard, who were facing each other for the first time in their two MLS seasons, embraced after the game.
Allegri confident Pogba will stay
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri is confident Paul Pogba will stay put at the club despite talks about the French midfielder leaving for England or Spain.
Pogba, whose contract at Juventus runs until 2019, has been linked with a return to English Premier League club Manchester United and Champions League winners Real Madrid.
“I am calm about the English rumours,” Allegri said.
“Anyone who has the opportunity to leave Juventus has to consider things carefully, because right now Juventus are among the top four clubs in Europe.
“This is not a selling club that just lets its players go.”
Kaiserslautern bid to re-sign Klose
Kaiserslautern chief Thomas Gries has launched a bid to re-sign Miroslav Klose.
Germany’s all-time leading goalscorer is a free agent having left Lazio and a return to the club where he launched his career could be an appealing option.
Gries says the Red Devils, who play in the second tier, will pull out all the stops to sign him, and hope nostalgia will do the rest.
“It would be absolutely stupid of me if I didn’t at least try,” Gries told SWR television.
“It would be like hitting the jackpot for Kaiserslautern. We have got to give it a try.”
Klose, 38, has been linked with several clubs since leaving Rome, but it is unclear whether he would be interested in ending his career in 2. Bundesliga.
Winger Cuadrado to return to Chelsea
Winger Juan Cuadrado will return to Chelsea after a season-long loan at Juventus.
The Colombian, who joined Juve from the Premier League side in August, scored four goals in 28 league matches last season to help the club to a Serie A and Coppa Italia double.
The 28-year-old had made little impact in 15 Chelsea appearances since moving to Stamford Bridge from Fiorentina for an estimated £23.3 million.
“Juan Cuadrado is a Chelsea player. He will come back very soon. He’s in our squad,” Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said.
Matip’s injury
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp hopes the ankle injury which defender Joel Matip suffered during Sunday’s friendly win over Wigan Athletic is not a serious one.
The Cameroon international, who joined on a free transfer from Schalke 04 at the end of last season, limped off in the final stages in Sunday’s 2-0 win over the Championship side.
“I hope it’s only a minor problem. It’s not too serious, hopefully. We had to make the decision of Joel or Dejan (Lovren)... who has to play the whole 90 minutes?” Klopp said.
Defender Mamadou Sakho, who underwent treatment for an Achilles problem, is also set to miss the Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 14.