Man Utd and UK sports guru Maurice Watkins has died, aged 79
August 17 – Maurice Watkins, the man credited with bringing Sir Alex Ferguson to the club in 1986, and a legend in sports law and British sports administration, has died aged 79.
World Football
Mauritian FA toilet-cam scandal under investigation
August 17 – The Mauritius FA has been plunged into an unusual scandal following an investigation involving alleged secret mobile phone video recordings of a women’s toilet at the federation’s headquarters.
Vancouver Whitecaps youth trio subject of racial assault, one hospitalised
August 17 – Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps say three of its academy players were assaulted at an outdoor gathering and that the attack is believed to be racially motivated.
Norwegian players caught partying on stadium security cameras
August 17 – Players of SK Brann held a raunchy late-night party at their stadium, but were caught on security cameras, leaving the club red faced.
WLF will back clubs and players who refuse to participate in Conmebol’s 2022 qualifiers
By Paul Nicholson
August 16 – The World Leagues Forum (WLF) has slammed FIFA’s decision to amend the international match calendar without consultation and which has seen the rescheduling of South America’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers that had originally been due to be played in March 2021 to extended triple match windows in September and March.
ECA re-admits repentant nine of the ESL’s Dirty Dozen back into its membership
By Paul Nicholson
August 16 – The European Club Association (ECA), has agreed that nine of the 12 European Super League (ESL) breakaway clubs can remain as members following their requests to withdraw their resignations from the club body.
Qatar 2022 qualifying: CAF tells 8 nations they can’t use home stadia
August 16 – Eight African countries have been stripped of home advantage in next month’s World Cup qualifiers after their grounds were deemed unfit at international level by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Germany and Bayern legendary striker Gerd Muller dies, aged 75
August 16 – Famed West Germany striker Gerd Mueller, nicknamed ‘Der Bomber’ because of his goalscoring prowess, has died at the age of 75.
Digital media specialist Hopfen to take over from Seifert at Bundesliga
August 16 – Donata Hopfen will become the new CEO of the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) in January, succeeding Christian Seifert who will step aside early, the league body has announced.
Investors punt on Las Vegas as location for 30th MLS franchise
August 13 – Aston Villa owner Wes Edens has backed the expansion of Major League Soccer (MLS) with a potential 30th franchise in Las Vegas.
Lukaku returns to Chelsea in £97.5m deal
August 13 – No sooner had Jack Grealish become the most expensive English Premier League transfer during the summer window after his £100 million move to Manchester city than Romelu Lukuka has followed just behind for very nearly the same amount.
PSG boss Al-Khelaifi says Messi signing will not put club in FFP breach
August 12 – Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has insisted that his club are complying with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations after signing Lionel Messi.
Arrizabalaga stars as Chelsea pick up Super Cup silverware with shootout win over Villareal
August 12 – Redemption comes in many forms. The 119th-minute substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga led Chelsea to victory in the European Super Cup with two saves in the penalty shout-out to see off Villarreal following an entertaining 1-1 draw.
Real Madrid to go to court to stop CVC’s €2.7bn deal with LaLiga
By Samindra Kunti
August 11 – Real Madrid will take legal action against La Liga and investment fund CVC to block a proposed deal between the two parties, which would see the equity firm invest €2.7 billion in the Spanish professional game.
Messi signs up for PSG and Champions League challenge
By Andrew Warshaw
August 11 – The tears of heartbreak and disappointment have given way to smiles of optimism.After finally signing for Paris St Germain on a two-year contract after leaving behind his beloved Barcelona, Lionel Messi has vowed to make an instant success of his new home.