Excluded by FIFA, European Leagues build EU political alliance

June 20 – Increasingly sidelined and excluded by FIFA in discussions concerning the international calendar and how it impacts the operations and financial structures of domestic leagues in Europe, the European Leagues organisation has instead moved closer to the European Union in a move to help protect the Europe’s football eco-system.

European Leagues president Claudius Schäfer, vice-president Mathieu Moreuil, and general secretary Alberto Colombo met today (Friday) with Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner for Youth,

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Saudi hold on for Trinidad draw to secure quarter final spot

Saudi Arabia 1 Trinidad and Tobago 1

June 22 – Saudi Arabia lived dangerously at the end of their final group encounter against Trinidad and Tobago at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to secure a spot in the quarter finals. Having dominated possession for most of the game, Trinidad came to life in the final 15 minutes but failed to put away a succession of chances.

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Player down Dominican Republic hold Suriname

Dominican Republic 0 Suriname 0

June 22 – Playing a dead rubber is dispiriting in the best circumstances. Playing a dead rubber in a 100,000-capacity stadium in front of 2,000 supporters is the definition of torture. Yet somehow, the Dominican Republic and Suriname managed to breathe life into their Group A Concacaf Gold Cup farewell.

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Passion meets pragmatism in Austin as Panama secure QF spot

Guatemala 0-1 Panama:

June 20 – Friday night at Q2 Stadium bore no resemblance to the venue that hosted football just 24 hours earlier. The transformation was complete, and the catalyst was simple: unbridled passion provided by the hordes of Guatemala supporters who descended on Austin. Stark contrast to the lack of interest shown by US fans on Thursday.

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