beIN builds in France with new LaLiga deal secured and other major rights in pipeline
May 19 – beIN Sports has extended its broadcast rights deal with Spain’s LaLiga for the French market until 2024.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Saudis deliver on AFC Champions League hosting and welcome teams back for more
May 19 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) have enhanced their AFC Cup 2027 bid hosting credentials following the successful completion of three groups of the East Zone 2021 AFC Champions League.
French FA cost cutting will mean staff lay-offs
May 19 – The embattled French Football Federation (FFF) will downsize operations by letting 26 employees go in a bid to tackle a projected deficit for the 2020/21 season.
FIFA Ethics’ integrity under fire as elections could make Rojas the judge of her own cases
By Paul Nicholson
May 18 – FIFA Ethics’ chair of its investigatory chamber, Colombian Claudia Rojas, could switch to the chair of its adjudicatory chamber following voting by member associations that closes today. If elected as head of the judiciary, it would mean she would have the final judgement on ongoing cases she has opened and/or investigated.
Player-led petition for an independent football regulator tops 100,000
May 18 – A UK parliamentary petition has now topped more than 100,000 signatures calling an independent regulator in English football.
Kane wants out of Spurs. £150m windfall for Levy?
May 18 – It’s the news every Tottenham Hotspur fan has been dreading. England captain Harry Kane has reportedly asked to leave at the end of the season, marking the end of an era and sparking a scramble among Europe’s richest clubs for the prolific striker’s prized signature.
UEFA’s Women’s Champions League gets rebrand and boost in prize money
May 18 – On Sunday, FC Barcelona were crowned champions of Europe with a thumping 4-0 win against English champions Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League. It marked a new high point in perception for the women’s game in Europe, with two of the biggest men’s clubs on the continent demonstrating they take the women’s game seriously.
Keller quits to allow for ‘deep-rooted and necessary restart’ at DFB
May 18 – Confirmation has now been made that Fritz Keller (pictured) has officially resigned with immediate effect as president of the German Football Association after sparking a wave of criticism for comparing his colleague to a notorious Nazi judge.
Aussie govt steps in with $9.6m elite funding in run-up to 2023 Women’s World Cup
May 18 – With Australia set to co-host with New Zealand the Women’s 2023 World Cup, the government has announced new funding for the federation’s high-performance women’s programme.
Serie A closes off domestic TV sales with €262m Sky Italia deal
May 18 – Serie A has completed its domestic broadcast deals for the next three seasons, with Sky Italia picking up the remaining package of live rights for €85 million for the 2021-22 season.
Liverpool fuel global sponsorship roster with Predator Energy deal
May 18 – Liverpool, energised in their pursuit of Champions League qualification by the drama of the added time winning header by goalkeeper Alisson on Monday night, have been given further fuel with a new partnership with global energy drink company, Predator Energy.
Macron agrees 5-year kit deal with former EPL giants Blackburn Rovers
May 18 – Blackburn Rovers have a new kit supplier after agreeing a five-year deal with Italian sportswear provider Macron. The Italian sportswear brand will replace Umbro from the start of the 2021/22 season.
Motsepe says CAF finances are a grubby mess. But will his return to school clean them up?
By Samindra Kunti
May 17 – African supremo Patrice Motsepe has conceded unequivocally that sponsors don’t want to engage with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) because the toxic organisation has to “clean its house”.
Copa America set to go ahead despite Colombian civil unrest and Covid carnage
May 17 – Organisers of the oldest continental competition in world football, the Copa America, are reported to be backing joint hosts Colombia to stage this year’s tournament despite widespread civil unrest.
North Korea pull out of 2022 World Cup Qualifiers confirmed
May 17 – North Korea has officially pulled out of qualification for the 2022 World Cup, the Asian Football Confederation has confirmed, dashing hopes of squaring up on the field against their fierce rivals from the south.