English FA publish a diversity code as Elliott emphasises results rather than rhetoric
June 19 – The FA’s Paul Elliott (pictured) has outlined a voluntary code for greater diversity in leading roles in the English game.
Integrity
SIGA Strives 29: Integrity body launches SIRVS to measure sports governance
June 19 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has officially launched the pilot phase of the its independent rating and verification system, SIRVS, the first bespoke governance measuring system for the sporting industry.
Raab steps into Saudi row over Newcastle takeover, US investor says he has cash to step in
By Paul Nicholson
June 18 – The takeover of Newcastle United by a consortium led by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) looks in doubt after a senior government minister cast doubt on the legality of the takeover following the WTO ruling that the Saudi’s broke international copyright with their support of the beoutQ pirate broadcaster.
FIFA and UEFA welcome WTO ruling that Saudi connived with beoutQ to break piracy regs
By Andrew Warshaw
June 17 – The pressure on the English Premier League to step in and halt the £300 million takeover of Newcastle United following the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) verdict that Saudi Arabia had facilitated broadcast piracy by the Saudi-based BeoutQ operation is intensifying further after both FIFA and UEFA welcomed the ruling.
New criminal complaint against FIFA fixer Arnold plunges Infantino deeper into mire
June 17 – A key ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reported to be the subject of a fourth criminal complaint to the Swiss authorities involving secret undocumented meetings between the FIFA president and under-fire attorney-general Michael Lauber.
Hunger games: Boris backs down as Rashford stands up for 1.3 million children
June 17 – Already facing widespread condemnation over playing catch-up with regard to Covid-19, the British government has now been forced to bow to pressure from a 22-year-old footballer and scrap its controversial policy of stopping free meals for needy school children.
SIGA Strives 28: Integrity group to expand university knowledge base
June 17 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) is expanding its Global University Network (GUN) via a platform to harness the collective wealth of knowledge, expertise and synergies to further advance Sport Integrity worldwide.
Newcastle takeover under pressure as WTO rules Saudi state backed broadcast piracy
By Paul Nicholson
June 16 – The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has published its report into broadcast piracy in Saudi Arabia stating that the country has not acted to prevent the industrial scale copyright theft by pay broadcaster beoutQ.
Saudi support of beoutQ piracy could scupper deal for Newcastle United
By Andrew Warshaw
June 15 – With the resumption of the Premier League 48 hours away, the £300 million takeover of Newcastle United by an investment consortium fronted by Saudi Arabia’s controversial Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman remains very much in the balance pending an imminent ruling on whether Saudi Arabia has been guilty of broadcast piracy.
Warner and TTFA’s long shadow put Blatter back into the spotlight over shady $1m loan
By Andrew Warshaw
June 15 – Swiss prosecutors have reportedly launched yet another criminal investigation against former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, this time for suspected mismanagement of $1 million.
Trump turns off football after USSF and NFL rule players can take a knee
June 15 – US president Donald Trump has vowed to give up watching football after the US Soccer Federation adopted a new policy that rescinds a requirement for players to stand during the national anthem.
SIGA Strives 27: Integrity body to focus on criminal legislation in sports context
June 15 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has launched a study into the criminal legislation worldwide as they relate to the battle against corruption in sport.
Swiss call for special prosecutor to probe whether Lauber-Infantino meetings were ‘criminal’
June 12 – Swiss parliamentarians have called for an extraordinary federal prosecutor to examine three criminal complaints against under-fire attorney general Michael Lauber who is somehow still clinging to his position.
In or out? Man City to wait until July for CAS decision on Champions League entry
June 11 – Manchester City will have to wait until July before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issues its ruling on whether the club will have its two season ban on Champions League participation and €30 million fined lifted.
US Soccer bosses bow to pressure and lift ban on ‘taking a knee’
June 11 – The US Soccer Federation, under pressure from both men’s and women’s players, has overturned its ban on taking a knee during the national anthem in the wake of George Floyd’s death.