Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini’s FIFA suspensions upheld

Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter appealed their 90-day FIFA suspensions, but they were upheld this week. As it turns out, they found it difficult to prove that they had an oral contract back in 1998 for FIFA to pay Platini a seven-figure sum 13 years in the future. Who knew!

Neither Platini nor Blatter is an approved candidate for the FIFA presidential election this winter, and Platini might have a hard time winning another term as UEFA president after this.

“Tecatito” Corona’s winner for Mexico against Honduras. (r/soccer)

Gerard Pique and Shakira have been forced to deny that they were blackmailed by a former employee over a sex tape. (Mirror)

Neymar’s dad says he won’t sign a new contract at Barcelona until he’s sure he won’t have to pay taxes or something. (Guardian)

Tuesday’s threats in Hanover will not result in the alteration of this weekend’s Bundesliga schedule. (Bundesliga)

Manchester United fans screamed in horror as Anthony Martial left Wembley on crutches. (Telegraph)

Arsene Wenger says clubs might break from FIFA if international schedules don’t change. (Fox Soccer)

Grant Wahl on TruSox, which players are wearing despite lack of endorsement money and fines for doing so. (SI)

Pablo Maurer on Team America, a failed attempt to make the USMNT a club team. (MLS)

John Ashdown on the biggest city in Europe without a top-flight team and other awesome trivia. (Guardian)

The USMNT stunk. (ESPN FC)

Canada got a draw against El Salvador. (MLS)

Mexico’s Under-23 stars balled in Honduras.

You can find recaps of CONMEBOL WCQs here. (FIFA.com)

And Euro playoffs here. (UEFA.com)

There’s no soccer of any particular importance until Friday, as players return to their clubs from international break.