By Abdelaziz Abuhamar in Cairo, Egypt
June 19 – Media were kept waiting and wondering for 40 minutes in Egypt for the pre-AFCON 2019 press conference in Cairo Stadium. CAF Assistant General Secretary for Football development Anthony Baffoe eventually showed up to get the press show on the road.
June 20 – In an unexpected twist over the tragic death of Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala who lost his life when a light aircraft carrying him to Cardiff two days after he signed for the club crashed into the English Channel, a 64-year-old man – who reports say is a pilot – has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
By Paul Nicholson at the Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
June 19 – Costa Rica opened the tournament in style with a 4-0 win over Nicaragua at their home stadium in San Jose, the first time the Gold Cup had been played outside of North America.
June 19 – Just as PSG boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi was announcing a crackdown on the cult of the playboy personality at his club, it was announced that men’s skincare brand, Bulk Homme, had signed a sponsorship deal driven by the club’s now biggest star Kylian Mbappé.
June 17 – Concacaf is using the 2019 Gold Cup to push its diversity and inclusion campaign – ‘Let’s Live in a State of Goal!’ – among fans and other members of the football community.
June 19 – Former UEFA chief Michel Platini was released in the early hours of Wednesday after having been questioned by French anti-corruption authorities over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
June 19 – Venezuela coach Rafael Dudamel criticised the organization of the Copa America on Tuesday after his team’s impressive 0-0 draw with hosts Brazil in Salvador.
June 19 – PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (pictured) has said that his club needs an “electroshock” to get back on track after a disappointing season marked by problems in the dressing room.
USA 4 Guyana 0
By Paul Nicholson at the Allianz Field, St Paul, Minnesota
June 17 – The last match of first round games at the Gold Cup saw the entry of the USA into competitive action. Guyana were the lambs lined up for the ritual slaughter at the Allianz Field in St Paul, Minnesota.
Panama 2 Trinidad and Tobago 0
By Paul Nicholson at the Allianz Field, St Paul, Minnesota
June 18 – Panama’s superior quality on the ball and greater physical strength off it put paid to a spirited Trinidad resistance to take first Group D blood in Minnesota United’s shiny new stadium in Saint Paul.
June 18 – The Swiss investigation into FIFA corruption looks to be collapsing following a ruling by the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona which declared Federal Prosecutor Michael Lauber’s secret meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino give the appearance of bias.
June 18 – After the shambles surrounding the use of VAR at CAF’s Champions League final the confederation has chosen Mediapro as the provider responsible for VAR at the African Cup of Nations that runs June 21 to July 19.
June 18 – The United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT), in dispute with their national federation (USSF) over equal pay and conditions, generated more revenue than the men’s side in the three years after their 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup win according to analysis of US Soccer’s audited accounts for the past three years.
June 18 – Day 5 and the Concacaf group rotation starts again with Group A, the high scoring Mexicans and Canadians, and the altitude of the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.
June 18 – Former UEFA president and French football legend Michel Platini has been detained for questioning on suspicion of corruption over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, according to reports.