Bayern boss Bundesliga’s best but Bellingham breaks barriers
May 27 – The CIES Football Observatory has produced a ranking of Best XI player for each of 32 European leagues analysed over the 2021/22 season.
Author: Paul Nicholson
OlyBet unfazed by Spain’s new betting promotion laws and punts on Real Betis
May 27 – Gambling regulations in Spain will prevent LaLiga clubs from taking shirt sponsorship from betting firms from the end of the season, but it is not stopping bookmakers cutting promotional deals with clubs for other markets.
Canada cancel ‘divisive’ Iran friendly after public pressure
May 27 – Canada Soccer has cancelled a controversial World Cup warm-up match against Iran citing its “significantly divisive” nature.
Kane set to keep faith in Conte and Spurs
May 27 – Qualifying for the Champions League under manager Antonio Conte is reported to have made England captain Harry Kane open to new contract negotiations at Tottenham Hotspur rather than leave the club, according to unconfirmed reports.
Caterpillar builds sponsorship on MLS’s diverse fan profile
May 27 – Construction and mining equipment giant Caterpillar has agreed a multi-year sponsorship with Major League Soccer in the US with an emphasis on reaching soccer’s younger and multi-cultural fan base.
Was Chelsea a £4.25bn rip off? Real Madrid top ranking by club value, ahead of Man Utd and Barca
By Paul Nicholson
May 26 – Chelsea may have been the biggest deal ever done for the sale of a football club, but the club isn’t the most valuable in Europe, Real Madrid are, according to the latest football club valuation report by Football Benchmark.
Ceferin tells LaLiga’s Tebas that if PSG broke rules, where’s the evidence?
May 26 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has waded into the debate over Kylian Mbappe’s contract extension at Paris St Germain after the French superstar turned his back on an expected move to Real Madrid.
Fifpro critical of FIFA for failure to punish Guacci over sexual harassment allegations
May 26 – The international players’ union, Fifpro, has criticised the decision by FIFA’s ethics committee not to punish an Argentinian women’s football coach accused of alleged sexual harassment and abusive behaviour.
Thailand and Uzbekistan to host pilot AFC Women’s Club Championship groups
May 26 – Thailand will host the ‘pilot tournament’ for the AFC’s East zone for the Women’s Club Championship 2022. Uzbekistan is hosting the West zone pilot tournament.
Crystal Palace drop betting sponsor W88 for multi-year Cinch deal
May 26 – While online used car retailer Cazoo is building its football sponsorship portfolio in Europe, its UK rival Cinch is taking its first main sponsorship in the English Premier League with Crystal Palace’s shirt front.
Futsal Asian Cup: Finals draw favours Iran but pitches Japan and Korea into same group
May 26 – Reigning champions Iran have been drawn in Group C for the finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022 on Thursday.
Roma win inaugural Conference League, Mourinho racks up 5th European club championship
May 26 – Jose Mourinho does not do defeat in European club finals. His AS Roma triumphed 1-0 against Feyenoord with a defensive masterclass to claim the inaugural Conference League.
Cazoo gears up for Italian launch with Bologna shirt deal
May 26 – Online used car retailer Cazoo has signed a “multi-year” main sponsorship deal with Serie A’s Bologna Fc as it prepares for its launch into the Italian market.
Uber Eats takes another bite of French football with national teams deal
May 26 – Food delivery service Uber Eats is taking a bigger bite of French football sponsorship with a deal with the federation to sponsor the French women’s, men’s and youth teams.
Anderlecht release Kompany after tough season; Burnley next?
May 26 – Vincent Kompany has departed Anderlecht after three seasons at the helm without winning a prize. He is shortlisted to become the next Burnley coach.