Heineken expands 25-year UEFA sponsorship into women’s game
August 26 – UEFA has announced a seventh sponsor for its women’s competitions, with Heineken adding the women’s game to its long-standing UEFA men’s sponsorships.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Covid and security issues force venue changes for upcoming Asian Qualifiers for 2022
August 25 – The Asian qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup are seeing more covid-forced venue changes with Qatar confirmed as the neutral venue for three qualifiers in the first international window in September.
Spurs keep Kane, for now, as Man City keep their hands in their pockets
August 26 – England captain Harry Kane has decided to remain at Tottenham Hotspur, ending months of speculation over his future amidst persistent rumours of a big-money move to Manchester City.
Guardiola sets limit on his remaining time at Man City
August 26 – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has indicated that he will leave the Premier League champions in 2023 when his contract expires, and wants to venture into international football in the future.
CBF prepares Caboclo’s exit with Ednaldo Rodrigues lined up as interim
August 26 – Suspended Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) president Rogerio Caboclo is being ushered towards the exit door, with the state federations firmly putting their weight behind Ednaldo Rodrigues to take over the leadership the organisation as interim president.
Abu Dhabi Media scoops up AFC rights for the UAE
August 26 – The AFC has added another broadcaster to its distribution roster with public service broadcaster Abu Dhabi Media in the United Arab Emirates picking up the rights to national team and club competitions for the 2021 to 2024 cycle.
50+ speakers already committed to 2021 Sport Integrity Week, Sept 13-17
August 26 – More than 50 speakers have now been lined up for The Sport Integrity Week that will be held virtually September 13 to 17.
FifaGate: DoJ grants $201m of ‘remission’ to FIFA, Concacaf and Conmebol
By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson
August 25 – The US Department of Justice has agreed to hand over $201 million of ‘remission’ money to FIFA, Concacaf and Conmebol from the amount collected from corrupt administrators in the FifaGate scandal.
Aussie airlift secures safety of group of Afghan women players
August 25 – Players from Afghanistan’s women’s team were among group of 77 athletes and family members airlifted out of Kabul to Australia on Tuesday.
Europe’s covid-closed stadia saw €2bn of revenue lost
August 25 – Europe’s top five leagues took a €2 billion revenue hit last season because of the season being forced to be played behind closed doors due to global health crisis, according to a report by consultancy KPMG.
Vietnam cancels V-League 2021 as covid spread accelerates
August 25 – The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has officially cancelled its 2021 club season after a vote – held virtually – by its 27 professional clubs.
PRO Company takes AFC rights with mission to expand audiences in Iraq
August 25 – Iraq’s PRO Company has become the AFC’s new media partner in Iraq for its national team and club competitions as the confederation sells its rights territory by territory in the middle east following the end of beIN Sport’s deal for pan-Middle Eastern rights.
No money Real Madrid make €160m offer for PSG’s Mbappe
August 25 – Real Madrid launched a €160 million offer for the services of Kylian Mbappe, but it has been quickly rejected by Paris Saint-Germain.
Globo says it is still committed to buying club TV rights, however they are packaged
August 25 – In an open letter, Brazilian broadcaster Globo has committed to the future of the game, reassuring the country’s professional clubs in the Serie A and Serie B that it supports “clubs’ collective bargaining for their broadcasting rights” despite impending legal changes.
2021 UEFA President’s Award recognises Eriksen’s life savers
August 25 – Football awards are generally reserved for players and officials, however the medics who saved the life of Denmark’s Christian Eriksen at EURO 2020 are to be recognised with the 2021 UEFA President’s Award, alongside Danish captain Simon Kjær.