Bad taste: Scots apologise after walkouts over offensive speech at football writers dinner
May 10 – Scottish football journalists have had to apologise after an awards event speech prompted a walkout because of alleged sexism.
World Football
UEFA head for Vienna to set seal on Champions League revamp
May 9 – This week could promise to become a landmark moment for European football with UEFA’s executive committee set to ratify changes to the Champions League format.
Chelsea women beat Man Utd to secure third successive WSL title
May 9 – The day after it was confirmed that their club had been bought by new investors who would maintain their commitment to the women’s team, Chelsea won their third consecutive Super League title with the last game of the season.
NWSL’s Challenge Cup sponsorship with UKG will focus on closing the gender pay gap
May 9 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US has sold the title sponsorship of its NWSL Challenge Cup in a three-year deal to HR management specialists UKG.
Liga MX looks to build outside its North American base with Bundesliga MoU
May 9 – Germany’s DFL (operator of the Bundesliga) and Mexico’s Liga MX have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will cover sharing expertise across performance, business and marketing areas.
No money for Warner, but Fenwick and Miller get one final feed at the TTFA trough
By Paul Nicholson
May 6 – Former FIFA vice president and Concacaf president Jack Warner will not be getting a final pay day from football as he battles extradition to the US where he has been indicted on multiple charges of fraud, money laundering, racketeering and corruption.
Chile demand World Cup slot claiming Ecuador’s Castillo is a Colombian
May 6 – Chile have filed a claim with FIFA, questioning Ecuador’s World Cup spot over the eligibility of player Byron Castillo, alleging he used a false passport and birth date to represent the country.
Feyenoord and Roma end long waits as they head to Tirana for Conference League final
May 6 – Two decades after winning the UEFA Cup, Feyenoord Rotterdam return to a European club final after edging out Marseille to reach the apex match of the Conference League.
Mediapro scores hattrick of court wins over Rubiales’ RFEF for abuse of dominant position
May 5 – Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales (pictured) has lost another battle in court in his war against Mediapro who have now scored a hat-trick of decisions against the RFEF this year.
NISA confirms June start for third edition of Independent Cup
May 6 – The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), which runs a USSF-recognised third tier league in the US, has announced the return of the NISA Independent Cup (NIC).
Seattle Sounders break Mexican grip on Champions League with history making win over Pumas
May 5 – MLS club Seattle Sounders broke the vice-like grip LigaMX clubs have held on the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League with a 3-0 win over Pumas UNAM in the second leg of the final at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
UCL: Real Madrid shatter Man City dreams to book Paris trip for Liverpool rendezvous
By Andrew Warshaw
May 5 – It’s happened again, only this time it’s scarcely believable. Just like Paris St Germain, Manchester City are still chasing the most coveted prize in European club football after being knocked out in the semi-finals of the Champions League by a Real Madrid team who yet again defied the odds to take their place in the final against Liverpool on May 28.
FIFA acts on systemic sexual abuse in Gabon with first four officials banned
May 4 – FIFA have extended an investigation into alleged systematic sexual abuse of under-age players in Gabon by opening formal proceedings against four officials.
Beating the Premier League: Ceferin argues other Big 5 leagues aren’t competitive enough
May 4 – With Liverpool through to the final of the Champions League and Manchester City aiming to join them to set up yet another all-English showdown, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has bemoaned the lack of competitiveness in other so-called Big Five footballing countries where the domestic leagues are perennially dominated by the same teams.
Ajax promise change of culture after Overmars scandal
May 4 – Ajax Amsterdam have vowed to change their club culture and build a safe workplace for female employees following a report into Marc Overmars’ inappropriate behaviour.