France 2019: Nigerian women stage sit-in to force FA to pay bonuses
June 23 – Nigeria’s players briefly refused to leave the team hotel after their elimination from the women’s World Cup on Saturday in the latest protest over pay bonuses.
World Football
Commisso plans Fiorentina stadium upgrade as they head to US for pre-season
June 24 – New Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso has wasted no time getting his feet under the desk at the Serie A club saying he will refurbish the stadium.
Exclusive: CAF exco did not agree to cede control to FIFA or Samoura, says Tenga
By Osasu Obayiuwana
June 21 – With barely a day after a June 20 joint declaration by FIFA and CAF – African football’s governing body – that there was “unanimous agreement” by CAF’s executive committee, to accept the direct involvement of the world body in Africa’s football affairs, a member of that committee says no such agreement exists.
CAF’s desperate call for help. FIFA to parachute in Samoura to govern Africa
By Osasu Obayiuwana
June 20 – The executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), in what is an unprecedented act in the global game, passed a motion on Wednesday to ask FIFA, the world governing body, to directly participate in the running of its day-to-day financial and administrative affairs.
Slow start but CAF’s Pre-AFCON get Egypt 2019 on the road
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.
Sala crash: British police arrest pilot on ‘suspicion of manslaughter’ charge
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.
Dudamel adds voice to criticism of Copa America that is struggling to catch fire
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.
Al-Khelaïfi parachutes in Leonardo to bring results and dismantle PSG’s ‘star’ culture
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.
CAF stick with VAR for AFCON in Egypt but bring in Mediapro to manage
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.
Report finds US Women’s team has out-earned US Men over past 3 seasons
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.
Brazil authorities seize Neymar properties over €15.9m tax claim
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
June 18 – Seemingly dispensable at his club PSG, out of the Copa America and accused of rape, the career of Neymar is sliding rapidly and on Monday the Brazil star was faced with even more legal entanglements as local justices in froze 36 of his properties for alleged tax evasion.
Gold Cup is the start of a long build towards 2026, even so, the US expects
By Paul Nicholson at the Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota
June 17 – When the US kick off their Gold Cup campaign against Guyana at the Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, tomorrow (Tuesday) they will be marking the competitive start of a new era for the team under Gregg Berhalter.
FIFA does last minute deal on Mali to keep them in AFCON 2019
June 17 – The threat of another damaging FIFA suspension that would have seen them thrown them out of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations has been avoided in the nick of time by Mali after it agreed to implement fresh statutes.
CAF’s lifts ban on Champions League ref Grisha in time for Egyptian AFCON
June 17 – A six-month ban meted out to Egypt’s top referee Gehad Grisha has been overturned amid the ongoing chaos and inconsistency within Africa’s football administration.
Brazil fans stay away as Copa America opens with suffocating ticket prices and big name failures
By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
June 17 – Brazil kicked off the Copa America with a subdued 3-0 win against Bolivia. High tickets prices led to many empty seats during the opening weekend which saw Argentina’s misery continue with a 2-0 defeat by Colombia and Asian champions Qatar battle back to draw 2-2 with Paraguay.