FIFA rolls out 3.0 development programme into west Asia
May 4 – Months after the first World Cup in the Gulf, FIFA have presented their new FIFA Forward 3.0 programme to countries in the region with a workshop in Saudi Arabia.
Author: Paul Nicholson
SIGA opens applications for 5th edition of women’s global mentorship programme
May 3 – The Sports Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has opened up applications for its 2023/24 mentorship programme for women, the fifth cycle of the initiative that aims at promoting future leaders and greater gender equity in the boardroom.
FIFA and Infantino face new defamation case over attempts to gag challenge to agent rules
May 3 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino is once again in the crosshairs of Swiss justice. The football boss as well as two other FIFA executives are the subject of a criminal investigation for “slander” by local authorities in Fribourg in a dispute with Swiss lawyer Philippe Renz.
James Dostoyevsky: Ranting and threats won’t cut it.
‘FIFA Pres Threatens to Block Women’s World Cup in Europe’, says Law360 writer Elaine Briseño in a recent article. Her intro says: “FIFA President Gianni Infantino is threatening to black out the Women’s World Cup in Europe if broadcasters there don’t loosen their purse strings, saying the offers for media rights thus far have been “very disappointing” and the additional revenue stream is needed to support equal pay for women.”
Dodd blames FIFA for undervalued 2023 World Cup TV sales in Europe
May 3 – One of the most prominent figures in women’s football says it’s partly FIFA’s own fault that the Women’s World Cup is not attracting sufficient interest from Europe’s top broadcasters.
Leeds call-in Big Sam for last-ditch attempt to secure Premier League status
May 3 – Leeds United have become the latest struggling Premier League club to sack the manager in desperation at trying to avoid relegation.
FA charges Klopp over ‘bent’ ref accusations
May 3 – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been charged by the English Football Association with “improper conduct” for his post-match comments about the refereeing in Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Messi suspended by PSG for taking Saudi trip
May 3 – Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks and will be fined after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
Concacaf releases draw detail for 2023/24 Nations League and route to 2024 Copa America
May 3 – Concacaf has released details of the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League (CNL) draw which will frame the first season of the revamped competition and qualification for the major men’s national team competitions to be played in the US in 2024 and 2025. The draw will be held May 16 in Miami.
Bulgaria’s Ludogorets demand tougher action after fan unrest at CSKA derby match
May 3 – Bulgarian champion club Ludogorets Razgrad has sent an open letter to the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU), the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Youth and Sports calling for action over the fan disturbances at their derby match against CSKA at the Bulgarian Army Stadium on Sunday.
US sports stars JJ and Kealia Watt take minority stake in Burnley
May 3 – Burnley, who have bounced back to the Premier League after a season in the Championship, have received new minority investment from the US from retired NFL star JJ Watt and his wife and NWSL player Kealia Watt.
Not walking alone: Liverpool tie up with ASP for Chinese retail platform launch
May 3 – Liverpool are opening up in China with a new official retail partnership with All Star Partners (ASP).
Infantino threatens ‘Big 5’ TV blackout, saying rights offers are a ‘slap in the face’ for women worldwide
May 2 – FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino are threatening a broadcast blackout of the Women’s World Cup in Europe’s ‘Big 5’ TV markets over “disappointing” broadcast offers.
UEFA tackles financial sustainability issues with new Working Group and an end-June timeline
May 2 – UEFA have taken a step further in their proposed rethink of their financial sustainability rules with the creation of a Working Group that will look at ‘squad cost control’ (essentially the issue of wage caps) as well as how transfer fees are accounted for by clubs.
Al Hilal’s missed chances give edge to Urawa for AFC Champions League final leg in Japan
May 1 – Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds will go into the second leg of the AFC Champions League final with a crucial away goal advantage after a 1-1 draw to reigning champions Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.