Exclusive: FIFA gives itself permission to invest in equities
By David Owen
March 20 – FIFA has given itself permission to invest in equities as part of its asset management operations.
News
Infantino’s Gulf War. 48-team 2022 could make diplomatic situation worse, says survey
March 20 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to expand the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams and sharing hosting rights with Qatar’s neighbours risks worsening tensions in the region, according to a new survey.
Troubled Brussels stadium at last wins support for €150m refurb
March 20 – Brussels’s King Baudouin Stadium could be remodelled to become a 40,000 all-seater ‘Golden Generation Arena’ by 2022 in plans backed by the Belgian FA (KBVB). The Belgian capital had been chosen to stage Euro 2020 matches, but the proposed ‘Eurostadium’ never got beyond the planning stages.
France 2019 World Cup completes National Supporter line-up with Orange deal
March 20 – Women’s football is on a commercial roll. With nine nations confirmed as formally expressing interest to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup yesterday, the France 2019 Local and Organising Committee and FIFA have announced the sixth National Supporter sponsor for the World Cup to be played June 7 to July 7.
USL arms itself with Sportradar to create its integrity defences
March 20 – The United Soccer League, operator of professional tier two and three leagues in the US, has boosted its protection against match-fixing and betting related-fraud via a deal with integrity specialists Sportradar.
Joint Korean bid lines up against eight rivals for 2023 Women’s World Cup hosting
March 19 – A record nine nations, including a ground-breaking joint initiative from north and south Korea, have expressed interest in hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup, further evidence of how the global women’s game is growing in popularity.
Saudi Arabia among 4 nations with no FIFA Forward cash released at end of 2018 cycle
By David Owen
March 19 – Saudi Arabia may be appearing to play an increasingly prominent role in football business and politics in the Gianni Infantino era. But the Kingdom seems to be ignoring the FIFA President’s offer of largesse via the beefed-up FIFA Forward programme.
Nationality by colour? Pogrebnyak remarks re-light Russian racism debate
March 19 – The Russian Football Union is set to investigate remarks made by former international striker Pavel Pogrebnyak regarding black players competing for the national team.
MLS spins the wheel with 4-year MGM betting partnership
March 19 – With the end to the prohibition of online sports betting in the US, sports now starting to see the licensing of digital gaming operators, sports bodies have been quick to seize the marketing and sponsorship opportunities.
Twitter secures broadcast deal for topflight Brazilian women’s matches
March 19 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has teamed up with social media platform Twitter in a broadcast deal for the Brazilian women’s top flight, the 2019 Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino.
Wembley to pay tribute to victims of NZ mosque shootings
March 19 – Victims of the mosque shootings in New Zealand will be remembered at Wembley ahead of England’s European Qualifier against Czech Republic on Friday.
UEFA picks IMG to sell EURO 2020 hospitality for UK and Ireland
March 19 – UEFA, which last week issued a tender splitting its beer sponsor package into 12 pieces for the EURO 2020 championships, has these week awarded an exclusive sales agency contract to IMG to be its official hospitality sales agent for England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
Ronaldo’s big day hat-trick celebration catches UEFA’s attention
March 19 – Cristiano Ronaldo has been charged with improper conduct by UEFA for the way he celebrated Juventus’ win over Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Curious selection: Gabon drop national team player after finding he is without club
March 19 – Gabon have withdrawn its central defender Gilchrist Nguema from its final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi after it was discovered he is not registered with any club.
UEFA and top European clubs in secret talks over Champions League revamp
By Andrew Warshaw
March 18 – Amid increasing speculation about a European Super League, firmly denied at every turn by UEFA, reports surfaced over the weekend that the Champions League may be revamped to appease Europe’s top clubs.