New launch agency offers fans a piece of the player trading action
August 1 – Football agent Jon Smith, one of the first of the so-called band of Super Agents, is behind a fund-raising for a new player agency that will be part-owned by fans.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Free Tibet. Just don’t try it in Russia at a FIFA World Cup
August 1 – While most French fans in Moscow were able to celebrate their team’s World Cup triumph, one supporter was apparently not so lucky after being detained allegedly for simply displaying a Tibetan flag.
Inter Milan add 7th Chinese academy with Hong Kong launch
August 1 – Inter Milan has launched another of its Inter Academy projects in China, this time in Hong Kong, taking the number of Chinese academies to seven.
Rummenigge calls for end to 50+1 rule to enable Bundesliga clubs to be more competitive
July 31 – It’s regarded as the bastion of commercial fair play in an increasingly money-driven world. But Bayern Munich Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the time has come to scrap Germany’s so-called 50-plus-one structure which effectively bars wealthy overseas investors, many with no previous football experience, from seizing control of clubs.
Uruguay’s Valdez pulls out of presidential re-election vote at last minute
July 31 – Has South American football been hit by more scandal? Uruguayan FA president Wilmar Valdez (pictured) resigned suddenly on Monday following the release of compromising audio recordings, just a day before he was due to stand for re-election.
Premier League shirt sponsorships top record £313m in value
July 31 – Premier League clubs will generate a combined record £313.6 million for the 2018/19 from shirt sponsorships, according to a Sportingintelligence analysis, the ninth time they have conducted this report.
US investor close to snapping up Ligue 1’s Bordeaux for estimated €70m
By Paul Nicholson
July 31 – The attractiveness of French Ligue 1 clubs to foreign investors is undiminished. Girondins de Bordeaux owner M6 Group has announced it has entered into exclusive negotiations with US-based investment fund GACP to sell its shareholding.
FIFPro says World Cup stars are being called back into Euro club action too early
July 31 – The international players’ union FIFPro says that at least 15 players who performed at the World Cup have taken part in UEFA club competitions less than four weeks after returning from Russia – not nearly enough time, it says, to recuperate properly.
Neymar dives into more criticism after Gillette mea culpa ad backfires
July 31 – Brazil’s World Cup talisman Neymar has come clean about his histrionics in Russia, admitting in an advertisement that he ‘exaggerated’ his reactions when fouled during the tournament, but his mea culpa has already backfired, the player coming in for heavy criticism in Brazil.
Cameroon poised to bring in Sven-Goran Eriksson for national team job
July 31 – Cameroon have confirmed that discussions are under way with former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to take over as coach of the Indomitable Lions.
SBOBET signs up for Borussia Dortmund’s Asian expansion
July 31 – Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, who recently announced a push into expanding in Asia with the opening of a Singapore office, has agreed a deal with SBOBET to become the club’s official betting partner in Asia.
Nigerian coach trapped in ‘bribery’ scam after accepting cash gift for player selection
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – No sooner has the festering dispute over the leadership of Nigerian football been resolved with Amaju Pinnick restored as its president than the federation has been rocked by bribery allegations involving a prominent member of the Super Eagles’ coaching team, Salisu Yusuf.
Heading for the UAE – Asian Cup 2019 tickets on sale
July 30 – Tickets for one of the most eagerly-anticipated spectacles in world football – the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 – are now available at the-afc.com.
Apax funds swoop to acquire data specialists Genius Sports
July 30 – Sports data specialists Genius Sports Group is to be acquired by a group of funds advised by Apax Partners. The new money will be used to expand internationally, said the company.
Barca women tooled up with record 3-year Stanley shirt deal
July 30 – Barcelona’s women’s team have secured the biggest shirt sponsorship deal to date for a women’s team, according to the club. Stanley Black & Decker have become the team’s first shirt sponsor in a 3-year deal starting this season.