June 25 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has signed its first co-operation agreement with a football confederation, agreeing with UEFA “to encourage dialogue aimed at safeguarding the long-term integrity of the game in Europe.”
By Paul Nicholson in Cleveland
June 24 – The Gold Cup in the US has now reached the end of the second round of games in what is a helter skelter schedule taking in 17 stadia in 15 cities – 13 in the US. Initially considered a risk with more teams and venues than ever before, the tournament has emphatically forced its way into the top tier of national team competitions in what is perhaps the busiest summer of global international competition ever.
June 24 – Host nation France squeezed past Brazil 2-1 after extra time to reach the last eight of the women’s World Cup but the story of the day was elsewhere as England beat Cameroon 3-0 in a match marred by yet more controversial VAR decisions that infuriated the Africans who at one point refused to restart the game.
By Samindra Kunti in Sao Paulo, Brazil
June 24 – Brazil crushed Peru 5-0 after a devastating first half to ensure a spot in the last eight at the Copa America on home soil. Rivals Argentina will join the hosts in the quarter-finals at the expense of Qatar after a 2-0 win over the Asian champions.
June 24 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has said its executive committee will decide future of the domestic game and the on-going division between the I-League and the Indian Super League. The governing body is expected to name the ISL as its top-tier league.
June 23 – Nigeria’s players briefly refused to leave the team hotel after their elimination from the women’s World Cup on Saturday in the latest protest over pay bonuses.
June 24 – French chemicals firm Arkema has taken a deeper step into the women’s game in France by picking up the title sponsor of Division 1 Féminine in a three-year deal.
June 24 – SIGA is to a host a Special Session addressing the importance of Female Leadership in Sport at the Sorbonne University, June 28.
June 24 – New Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso has wasted no time getting his feet under the desk at the Serie A club saying he will refurbish the stadium.
June 24 – Amid widespread condemnation, a new rule that states goalkeepers at the Women’s World Cup must be cautioned for stepping off their goal line at penalties has been suspended.
By Osasu Obayiuwana
June 21 – With barely a day after a June 20 joint declaration by FIFA and CAF – African football’s governing body – that there was “unanimous agreement” by CAF’s executive committee, to accept the direct involvement of the world body in Africa’s football affairs, a member of that committee says no such agreement exists.
By Paul Nicholson
June 20 – The corruption-riddled, ungoverned FIFA-fiefdom that Africa has become has now impacted on the offices of the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino. In an act of demagoguery that may come to define his leadership, and in order to protect his own powerbase, FIFA has stepped in to take charge of Africa.
By Andrew Warshaw
A new rule agreed by football’s lawmakers in the spring which gained little publicity at the time has suddenly burst into controversy within days of taking effect and threatens to cause widespread consternation across the game.
June 21 – Cameroon dramatically snatched an injury-time winner on Thursday to beat New Zealand 2-1 and reach the last 16 of the women’s World Cup, where they will face England.
June 21 – Tokabot, a tracker that monitors and collects data on where sports fans are most digitally active, has received seed funding from HYPE Capital