FIFA trims its former apparatchik Makudi’s suspension to 3.5 years
May 17 – Former FIFA Executive Committee member Worawi Makudi has scored a token success in the fight to clear his name.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Europa Cup Final: Lyon on high alert as OM fans mass for Atletico showdown
By Samindra Kunti in Lyon
May 16 – Hosts Lyon are on red alert as thousands of Marseille fans descend on the city ahead of the European Cup final with Atletico Madrid. Stringent security measures have been implemented to prevent any scuffles or violence. For the match itself football bookmaker Unibet has the odds stacked firmly in favour of Atletico.
FIFA shrug off Morocco query over eligibility of four US territories for 2026 vote
By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – Morocco’s request for four countries to be pulled from next month’s 2026 World Cup vote has received a non-committal response from FIFA with the simmering controversy quite possibly coming to a head at the ballot itself in Moscow.
Africans lobby SA to back Morocco 2026 as national politics threaten a ‘solidarity’ vote
May 16 – South Africa’s football leadership are being urged not to break ranks with the Continent and to back Morocco’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
UEFA Council meets to agree battleplan to challenge Infantino’s ‘takeover’ plan
May 16 – UEFA’s top brass were meeting today in an attempt to forge a united stance against Gianni Infantino’s plans to change the landscape of world football.
Hankook Tire renews Europa League sponsorship for further three years
May 16 – Korea’s Hankook Tire has renewed its sponsorship of the UEFA Europa League for a new three-year cycle, taking its association with UEFA’s club tournament through to 2021.
A dream partnership. Man Utd extends deal with China’s fast-growing MLILY
May 16 – Never ones to be caught napping when it comes to commercial partnerships, Manchester United have renewed Chinese firm MLILY as the Club’s official mattress and pillow provider.
World Cup ref Al Mirdasi banned after offering to fix Saudi cup final
May 16 – A World Cup-bound Saudi referee chosen by FIFA has been banned for life at home for a matchfixing attempt just days before he was due to fly to Russia.
William Hill keeps punting on Spurs in multi-year renewal
May 16 – Premier League Tottenham Hotspur have extended their partnership with bookmakers William Hill in what the club says is a multi-year deal.
Bayern push deeper into US and Hispanic markets via content deal with ESPN
May 16 – ESPN has signed a content deal with German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich to bring club content to the broadcaster’s digital and linear networks in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Turkey talk credentials as they lobby for Euro 2024 hosting
By Andrew Warshaw
May 15 – The similarities are striking. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Up against a heavyweight rival. Eager to reward a football-mad nation with the ultimate prize. Just as underdogs and four-time losers Morocco are desperate to upset the odds and land the 2026 World Cup, so Turkey are equally determined to make up for lost time and hold the 2024 European Championship finals after three demoralising failures.
No Turkish delight at DFB after Ozil and Gundogan’s ‘symbolic’ meet with Erdogan
May 15 – British-based German internationals Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan, both of Turkish origin, have been lambasted by their national federation and German politicians for posing for photos with Turkey’s controversial President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
US opens up sports betting market nationally ending Nevada-only sports betting law
By Paul Nicholson
May 15 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday (Monday) that the federal law banning sports betting was unconstitutional, paving the way for the legalisation of sports betting across the US.
Gianni finds a friend. Real Madrid like idea of big money Club World Cup
By Paul Nicholson
May 15 – It has been a quiet week so far in terms of news regarding FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s frantic lobbying to get backers for his $25 billion sell off plan for new FIFA endorsed Club World Cup and Nations League competitions. But he has received support from one area.
Chelsea tread new path with £50m Hyundai sleeve sponsorship
May 15 – Premier League Chelsea have scored a record £50 million, five-year sleeve sponsorship deal with Hyundai, who are reportedly doubling that paid by current sleeve sponsor Alliance Tyres.