Monaco and Ligue1 put youth first in Europe. Young Gunners top EPL
October 1 – Monaco top a league of Big 5 clubs ranked by youngest average age, while six other Ligue1 clubs from France join them in the top 10 positions.
Author: Paul Nicholson
LaLiga cleared to return to full stadia this weekend
September 30 – Spanish health authorities have green lighted full stadiums in LaLiga again for the first time since the global health crisis.
FIFA and EA expand competitive esports programme ahead of FIFA 22 launch
September 30 – One international match calendar FIFA is having no trouble expanding is its esports programme. Electronic Arts have announced a further growth of its competition ecosystem for the launch of the FIFA 22 game next month.
Door could still be reopened for Saudis to buy Newcastle but will they wait until 2022?
September 30 – The long-drawn-out £300 million takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium could finally be sanctioned by the Premier League if it is decided at arbitration that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will not be a director of the club, according to reports.
Brazil extends Caboclo ban from CBF for sexual bullying
September 30 – Rogerio Caboclo has been suspended as president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) until 2023 because of sexual and psychological harassment.
Barca’s Champions League blow outs put pressure on Koeman
September 30 – Pressure is building on Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman after the club made their worst start to a Champions League campaign ever following a humbling 3-0 defeat at Benfica.
Zumub fuels European expansion with AS Monaco deal
September 30 – French Ligue1 club AS Monaco has added sports supplements and nutrition supplier Zumub to its partnership roster.
Flamengo win sets up all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores final against Palmeiras
September 30 – Flamengo and Bruno Henrique once again breezed past Ecuador’s Barcelona 2-0 to complete a 4-0 semi-final victory and set up a blockbuster Copa Libertadores final against Palmeiras, the second all-Brazilian final in a row.
UK close to greenlighting a red-list solution for Premier League international call-ups
September 30 – The UK government looks to be close to agreeing a set of criteria that will allow Premier League clubs to release players to travel to red-list countries without having to quarantine on their return.
ESPN hooks AFC rights for Latin and Central America
September 30 – ESPN has grabbed rights to the AFC’s major national team and club competitions for the 2021 to 2024 rights cycle, including the on-going and delicately poised Qatar 2022 qualifiers.
Europe and South America get closer with ‘Finalissima’. FIFA left out of the big game play
By Andrew Warshaw
September 29 – The geo-politics of world football have taken another significant twist with an agreement by UEFA and Conmebol to stage a showpiece inter-continental fixture between their respective champions next summer that could end up becoming an established part of the calendar – seemingly without the official approval of FIFA.
World Leagues Forum survey finds huge majority in favour of keeping 5-subs rule
September 29 – A survey of its members by the World Leagues Forum (WLF) has found that 95% of them would support a permanent option to keep an increased number of substitutions that can be used by clubs in their leagues.
Back to school: AFC launches ACE programme to boost MA skills and train future leaders
September 29 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched the Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE) to strengthen and develop its member associations as well the regional associations.
Forget the ESL, Real Madrid find there is a new Sheriff in town
September 29 – Sheriff Tiraspol, from an unheralded Moldovan outpost close to the border with Ukraine, are celebrating one of the most stunning upsets in the history of the Champions League after winning 2-1 at the home of Real Madrid, the competition’s 13-time champions.
Covid casualty: Kante to miss Champions League, EPL and France games
September 29 – Chelsea’s influential midfielder N’Golo Kante has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss tonight’s high-profile Champions League tie with Juventus.