Weah back in action for Liberia in Nigerian friendly
September 12 – Liberia president George Weah came out of football retirement on Tuesday just short of his 52nd birthday for a one-off friendly against Nigeria.
Author: Paul Nicholson
ICAS plays down significance of RFC Seraing ruling
By David Owen
September 11 – The International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) has played down the significance of a ruling by the Brussels Court of Appeal that has been reported as calling into question the ability of football bodies, and potentially counterparts in other sports, to insist that disputes go to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Adidas renew DFB deal through to 2026 and build case for Euro 2024 hosting
By Paul Nicholson
September 11 – Adidas, who have been the German national team’s official kit sponsor for more than 60 years, has extended the partnership until 2026.
World XI shortlist omits France’s World Cup captain Lloris but includes Buffon
September 11 – Legendary Italian Gianluigi Buffon is shortlisted for the goalkeeping award in the 2018 FIFPro World XI despite being second choice at Paris Saint-Germain with France’s World Cup winning captain Hugo Lloris surprisingly missing out.
Political pressure forces Liverpool to end controversial Tibet Water sponsorship
September 11 – Liverpool have ended their controversial regional sponsorship agreement with Tibet Water Resources who became the club’s Official Regional Water Partner in China in July 2017.
Perez seeks Socios approval for €575m loan to revamp Bernabeu
September 11 – Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is to ask club members at a meeting on September 23 to approve plans for a €575 million loan to revamp the club’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Spanish players to decide on 15-year plan to play LaLiga fixtures in US
September 11 – Landmark proposals to play a top-flight Spanish league game in the USA has taken another twist with reports that the players will have the final say.
FIFA parachute in Nigeria’s underfire Pinnick to fix Ghana crisis
September 11 – In a somewhat unusual turn of events, Amaju Pinnick (pictured), whose own Nigerian federation was embroiled in a bitter leadership struggle and narrowly avoided a FIFA ban, has been selected by FIFA to lead the organisation’s normalisation committee in Ghana.
PSG takes next level blockchain step with Socios.com partnership
September 11 – Blockchain platform Socios.com have become Paris Saint-Germain’s Official Branded Cryptocurrency Partner and will work alongside the club to develop a blockchain strategy that the company says will bring in the next generation of fan engagement programmes.
PR leader and VERO founder Mike Lee dies, aged 61
September 11 – Mike Lee, former UEFA head of communications and widely regarded as one of the gurus of British sports public relations, has died suddenly of a heart attack aged 61.
Olympique Marseilles have threat of European ban lifted on appeal
September 11 – UEFA has lifted its threat to ban Olympique de Marseille from European competition if there is a repeat of the violence which marred their Europa League campaign last season.
European clubs show €600m profit on revenue of €20.1bn
September 10 – European football’s top-division clubs made a profit for the first time on record in 2017 totalling €600 million as the effects of financial fair play kicked in.
Kanu calls for more grass-roots support in Africa to stop the Europeans killing creativity
By Andrew Warshaw
September 10 – Two-time former African player of the year Nwankwo Kanu says the continent must step up grass-roots development of players to start fulfilling their potential on the world stage.
Crowd stampede kills one and injures 40 in Madagascar
September 10 – At least one person has been killed and nearly 40 injured in the latest stampede to occur at an African stadium with tragic consequences.
Belgian ruling raises questions over football bodies’ ability to insist disputes go to CAS
By David Owen
September 10 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)’s uncontested jurisdiction over sporting disputes appears to have been put in question by a ruling handed down by a Brussels Court of Appeal.