Flamengo break quarantine and return to training in Rio
May 22 – Brazilian champions Flamengo have broken quarantine restrictions in Rio de Janeiro by resuming training without authorisation. City officials criticized the move.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Sunderland and Pompey still on return paths as EFL mandates promotion and relegation
May 22 – How to definitively end the season in the three divisions of the English professional game below the top flight remains in the balance after the English Football League (EFL) ruled promotion and relegation must take place in the Championship, League One and League Two, regardless of whether clubs vote, or have already voted, to curtail the campaign.
Is he or isn’t he? Sheffield Utd say Saudi Prince Abdullah is still in control
May 22 – English Premier League club Sheffield United say there has been no change to their Saudi ownership despite reports that Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (pictured) had given up control.
One competition UEFA will finish: eEURO 2020 finals kick-off Saturday
May 22 – UEFA will have some national team competitive action this weekend when 16 teams compete in the eEURO 2020 final tournament.
Man Utd lose £15m as Premier League rebates up to £300m to broadcast partners
By Paul Nicholson
May 21 – Manchester United’s third quarter financial release has revealed that the loss of broadcast revenue due to a broadcaster rebate following failure to complete fixtures is about £15 million, putting the overall Premier League rebate at about £300 million.
Qatar 2022: Al-Thawadi says boycott has not affected preparations, but Covid-19 is a worry
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – The head of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organising committee says the Saudi-led regional blockade of his country has been a “blessing in disguise” and has also vowed to ensure the tournament remains affordable to visitors despite the impact of Covid-19.
Montagliani puts focus on health first, but 2021 summer tournaments could see fans in stadia
May 21 – Concacaf President and FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani has said that the biggest challenge facing federations is not the financial costs being faced right now but the costs of ensuring compliance with health measures in the future. He also felt that it was unlikely to see a return of fans to international matches before the major tournaments in 2021.
Lauber loses Swiss vote after questioning over Infantino dealings
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – The fate of Michael Lauber, (pictured) Switzerland’s leading prosecutor, hangs perilously in the balance after lawmakers voted to launch impeachment proceedings against him amidst much-publicised concerns over his relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
FIFPro boss backs players who fear Covid-19 infection if they return to work
March 20 – The head of world football’s players’ union has urged clubs not to force scared players to return to training saying it would be “inhumane and unacceptable” if they were punished for taking such a stance.
Kashoggi widow adds to Premier League club concern over Saudi takeover of Newcastle
May 21 – Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has demanded a meeting with Premier League boss Richard Masters to discuss the proposed £300 million takeover of Newcastle United by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, PIF, a finance vehicle closely associated to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
Hummel enter Premier League with record Everton deal
May 20 – Danish sports and leisurewear brand hummel has signed a club-record technical partnership with Premier League Everton.
Aurier’s third strike. Spurs defender facing the chop
May 21 – It almost defies belief. For the third time in a matter of weeks, Tottenham Hotspur’s Ivory Coast international defender Serge Aurier has been accused of breaching of physical distancing rules and is facing a hefty fine, according to reports.
Bundelsliga women greenlighted for end of May return to play
May 21 – On the back of last weekend’s successful resumption of the Bundesliga, the German FA (DBF) has confirmed that the women’s Bundesliga will restart later this month as well.
$81,000 fine for FC Seoul as sex toys prove to be no fun
May 21 – South Korea’s professional football league has imposed a record fine on one of its clubs for using sex dolls to fill empty stands at its second game of the resumed K League season last Sunday.
Salary cap coming? ‘Absurd’ salaries and transfer fees must end, says DFB boss Keller
By Samindra Kunti
May 20 – German football bosses want to see deep reaching financial reforms in the game following the coronavirus pandemic, with Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and DFB president Fritz Keller becoming the latest voices to back the introduction of a salary cap.