Bayern Munich turn up the heat in China with Viessmann partnership
October 2 – German Bundesliga gaints FC Bayern Munich has signed a new regional partner for China.
beIN launches $1bn claim again Saudis for IP theft as Qatar state goes to WTO for help
By Paul Nicholson
October 1 – Saudi Arabia has been hit with a two-pronged billion dollar offensive from broadcaster beIN and the Qatar state over the on-going copyright theft of pirate broadcaster beoutQ. A consortium of rights holders including FIFA and the Premier League are expected to follow suit in the coming days as the Saudis rapidly turn themselves into the pariahs of the sports rights business.
Asian political power play threatens a hard-won regional stability
By Paul Nicholson
The three biggest football presidencies in global football come up for election in 2019 with FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and UEFA all voting on new presidential terms. At present the only election of the three that will be contested will be in Asia – current president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa announced his intention to run again last week.
LaLiga break new global sponsorship ground with Unilever’s Clear Men and Rexona
October 1 – LaLiga and Unilever have reached a worldwide sponsorship agreement for Unilever’s Clear Men and Rexona brands in a deal that covers the remainder of this season and the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns.
Jordaan misses out on FIFA Council seat as CAF votes for Nyamilandu
By Andrew Warshaw
October 1 – Danny Jordaan’s bid to take up one of Africa’s top positions at the heart FIFA suffered a crushing blow at the weekend when he was heavily beaten in the ballot for a place on the FIFA Council.
African chiefs pledge support for Infantino’s FIFA re-election
October 1 – No rival candidate has yet come forward to challenge Gianni Infantino when he bids for re-election next year but if anyone does, African football will stand firmly behind the present incumbent.
ISL kicks-off amid IMG pull-out and debate over sustainability
By Samindra Kunti
October 1 – Atletico de Kolkata were beaten 2-0 by Kerala Blasters in the opening match of the fifth season of the Indian Super League on Saturday. But while the league has started, doubts remain about the league’s commercial blueprint on what was a somewhat understated season kick-off compared to previous years.
CAF makes Cameroon wait on final 2019 AFCON hosting decision
October 1 – The decision on whether to give the green light to Cameroon to stage the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been deferred yet again – this time until November.
Forget Brexit and hard borders, British politicians would embrace FAI in a joint 2030 bid
October 1 – The British government says it would provide the necessary financial guarantees for a joint UK-Ireland 2030 FIFA World Cup bid.
Political football: Real Madrid welcome of Palestinian Tamimi angers Israelis
October 1 – In what will be viewed in Israel as a major slight and by Palestinians as an endorsement of their cause, Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi, whose arrest last year drew international condemnation, has been honoured by Real Madrid.
UEFA plays safe as Germany’s 2024 win leaves Turkish emotions raw
By Andrew Warshaw in Nyon
September 28 – By the time UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin proclaimed that Thursday’s vote for Euro 2024 was a “transparent, democratic decision” by his executive committee, Turkey’s vanquished bid team were already packing their bags en route to Geneva airport, stunned by the margin of defeat.
Wembley sale takes a step closer with £600m Khan offer to go to FA Council
September 28 – The controversial proposed £600m sale of English football’s national Wembley Stadium has moved a step forward after being discussed by the Football Association’s board.
Back to the future: Huddersfield Town goes parimutuel with new Football Pools deal
September 28 – Pools betting was once a staple of football club finance. The low stakes, parimutuel results prediction ‘bet’ even eight years ago still saw 600,000 people a week in the UK fill in a pools coupon on paper.
Blatter congratulates Germany and return to one-country hosting in 2024
September 28 – Sepp Blatter took advantage of the vote to hand Germany Euro 2024 to take a further pop against his old nemesis Michel Platini.
Everton target US fanbase with launch of dedicated social media platforms
September 28 – Premier League Everton are launching two new social media platforms focused on content for American Evertonians. @EvertoninUSA will being posting content on both Twitter and Instagram starting today.