Concacaf release qualifying structure for Qatar 2022 World Cup
July 11 – Concacaf have announced details of a two-part regional qualification for the 2022 World Cup and their 3.5 slots in Qatar.
World Football
Euro 2020 ticket applications hit 14m mark for first 1.5m on-sale
July 10 – More than 14 million tickets have been requested for the one-off 12-city pan-continental European Championship in 2020 during the first three weeks of the sales window, breaking the tournament’s record for registrations.
CAF in crisis: Disciplinary body fails to rule on headbutting Moroccan FA president Lekjaa
By Osasu Obayiuwana in Cairo, Egypt.
July 10 – In what is yet another chapter in the diary of governance troubles for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the organisation’s Disciplinary Committee (DC) failed to deliver a verdict in the case of Fouzi Lekjaa, its 3rd Vice-President, returning the case to the body’s secretariat.
Messi claim of ‘fixed’ Copa America could land him two-year ban
July 10 – Lionel Messi’s much-publicised altercation with Conmebol, whom he accused of fixing Argentina’s Copa America semi-final in favour of hosts Brazil, could land the Barcelona star with a potential two-year ban according to local reports.
Moroccan FA boss Lekjaa accused of assaulting Ethiopian ref Tessema. CAF to make ‘watershed’ ruling
By Osasu Obayiuwana in Cairo, Egypt
July 9 – Fouzi Lekjaa, 3rd Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is at grave risk of being fined and banned by the organisation of which he is a high-ranking member, when CAF’s Disciplinary Committee sits in Cairo on Tuesday, to hear a complaint the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) have filed against the Moroccan.
Zelkifli Ngoufonja calls on Africa to reject FIFA takeover and elect their own leaders
By Paul Nicholson
July 9 – Zelkifli Ngoufonja, who stood as a candidate for an African FIFA Council position in 2017, has written to CAF member association presidents on the eve of their Congress in Cairo this week urging them to do “the right thing” and not cede control of CAF and African football to FIFA.
PSG says stay-away Neymar can leave if the price is right
July 9 – French champions Paris St-Germain have said they will take “appropriate action” after Brazil striker Neymar failed to turn up for the first day of pre-season training. The 27-year-old was due back at the club’s training ground on Monday, but remained in Brazil for a charity event.
Euro fan group joins English fan clubs to lobby UEFA with 7-point ticketing proposal
July 9 – Fan groups from the four English clubs that contested UEFA’s two club finals have been backed by Europe’s largest supporters group in their efforts to persuade UEFA to be more fan-friendly in future when choosing where to play their showpiece events.
As Saudis and Arabsat refuse to act, beoutQ keeps up its thieving of 2019 AFCON
July 9 – Saudi-based broadcaster beoutQ has continued its theft of live broadcast rights, tacitly backed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and more overtly backed by Arabsat. It has stolen all 36 group matches of CAF’s Total Africa Cup of Nations.
‘Toxic’ CAF in danger of alienating sponsors unless it cleans up, says agency source
By Osasu Obayiuwana in Cairo, Egypt
July 9 – As the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is engulfed by governance problems that could, unbelievably, lead to FIFA’s direct intervention in its day-to-day affairs, its poor image could have an immediate and long-term impact on its financial future, as sponsors are increasingly uncomfortable with the negative publicity surrounding the body.
Abou-Rida quits Egyptian FA presidency after home loss at AFCON 2019
July 7 – The president of the Egyptian Football Association Hani Abou-Rida has resigned after the host nation suffered a shock defeat in the last-16 of the African Cup of Nations.
Brazil beat Peru in the Maracana to win Copa America
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
July 7 – Brazil won the Copa America for a ninth time on Sunday, defeating Peru 3-1 in the final to retain the championship on all five occasions they have staged it. Everton Cebolinha, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison were on the mark for the hosts.
Liverpool’s Mane is first to miss 2 penalties in AFCON
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar in Cairo
July 6 – Senegal and Liverpool star Sadio Mane became the first player in the CAF Cup of Nations to have missed two penalties ever in the continental showpiece currently being played in Egypt.
UEFA tells Trabzonspor to restructure debt or be banned from European competition
July 7 – Trabzonspor have been given a lifeline by UEFA to compete in Europe this season despite breaching financial fair play regulations.
It all gets Messi as Argentine accuses Copa America refs of being bent
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
July 7 – Argentina star Lionel Messi slammed Brazil and Conmebol for “corruption” after enduring a torrid end to the Copa America. He boycotted the medal ceremony in the third-place match to drive home his point.