Roma and Nike terminate 10-year deal early
July 17 – Serie A’s Roma and US sportswear giants Nike have cancelled their 10-year partnership with three years left to run on the contract.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Inter Calling Kids: Inter Academy and Inter Campus youths dial-up legends on-line
July 17 – Inter Milan, who have expanded their academy concept to more than 21 sites worldwide, has launched a series of virtual meetings giving youngsters at Inter Academy and Inter Campus projects the chance to talk to former club stars.
World Cup 2022: Qatar to kick-off 4-games-a-day schedule for greatest show on earth
By Andrew Warshaw
July 16 – Fans watching the first ever winter World Cup in Qatar will be treated to four games a day, organisers have confirmed as they announced the tournament in November and December 2022, will kick off at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
Zamalek fury prompts complaint to CAF over Al-Ahly’s ‘rigged’ team of the century ranking
By Paul Nicholson
July 16 – Egyptian giants Zamalek are taking their protests over CAF’s 2020 award of the ‘African club of the Century’ to Al-Ahly to the confederation’s ethics function, claiming the club rankings that decided the title were rigged.
FIFAGate: Napout stays locked up as Judge Chen considers Covid-19 compassionate release
July 21 – A New York court has delayed deciding on a request for compassionate release from prison by former Conmebol president Juan Angel Napout (pictured).
Bundesliga submits criteria to reopen stadia from start of 2020/21 season
July 16 – The German Bundesliga is working up plans to return fans to stadia following discussions with health authorities, with the start of the 2020/21 season, September 18, being the target date for opening up of the leagues.
Prince Ali praises Afghan whistleblowers but says football must prioritise protection
July 16 – Former FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan says the governance of world football must be stepped up in the wake of the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) judgement to uphold the life ban on ex-Afghan FA chief Keramuddin Karim for sexual abuse.
FIFPro bangs drum for its ‘socially aware’ players; not all are millionaires
July 16 – Fans often bemoan the fact that footballers are paid far too much money but the perception that they do not carry out their social responsibilities is misplaced according to the international players’ union FIFPro.
IFAB clears path for league to take 5 subs rule into next season
July 16 – Football’s rule-making body has given the green light for teams to continue to use up to five substitutes instead of three next season in a bid to cope with potential fixture congestion in the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Real Madrid opens new 5-year account with Liberbank
July 16 – Real Madrid will have a new official bank from the start of the 2020/21 season. An agreement with Liberbank will see the financial institution take over from Caixabank.
CAS throws out Afghan FA sex abuser Karim’s appeal
By Andrew Warshaw
July 15 – The former president of the Afghan FA, Keramuddin Karim (pictured), has lost his appeal against a life ban for “appalling” sexual abuse of female national team players.
Ashley’s £300m Saudi deal in balance as Qatar’s beIN Sports is ‘terminated’
By Paul Nicholson
July 15 – Saudi Arabia’s decision to “permanently terminate” beIN Sports license to broadcast in the country has been called a “sham” by the Qatari broadcaster, but also throws focus back on to the Premier League who are still to rule on whether Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund can buy Newcastle United.
India explores single venue option for new ISL and I-League seasons
July 15 – Indian football plans to stage the coming season’s Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League at a single venue in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Portuguese police swoop on Benfica over tax evasion and money laundering claims
July 15 – The president of Benfica, Luis Filipe Vieira (pictured), plus the company that operates the club and the one that owns the stadium, have all been indicted by the Portuguese justice for tax evasion, according to unconfirmed local reports.
Rule of law? PL bosses jump to criticise CAS ruling, Pep says City should receive apologies
July 15 – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his club deserve an apology from rival managers who criticised the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to overturn City’s two-year ban from European competitions for alleged “serious breaches” of financial fair play.