July 31 – It’s regarded as the bastion of commercial fair play in an increasingly money-driven world. But Bayern Munich Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the time has come to scrap Germany’s so-called 50-plus-one structure which effectively bars wealthy overseas investors, many with no previous football experience, from seizing control of clubs.
July 31 – Has South American football been hit by more scandal? Uruguayan FA president Wilmar Valdez (pictured) resigned suddenly on Monday following the release of compromising audio recordings, just a day before he was due to stand for re-election.
July 31 – Premier League clubs will generate a combined record £313.6 million for the 2018/19 from shirt sponsorships, according to a Sportingintelligence analysis, the ninth time they have conducted this report.
By Paul Nicholson
July 31 – The attractiveness of French Ligue 1 clubs to foreign investors is undiminished. Girondins de Bordeaux owner M6 Group has announced it has entered into exclusive negotiations with US-based investment fund GACP to sell its shareholding.
July 31 – The international players’ union FIFPro says that at least 15 players who performed at the World Cup have taken part in UEFA club competitions less than four weeks after returning from Russia – not nearly enough time, it says, to recuperate properly.
July 31 – Brazil’s World Cup talisman Neymar has come clean about his histrionics in Russia, admitting in an advertisement that he ‘exaggerated’ his reactions when fouled during the tournament, but his mea culpa has already backfired, the player coming in for heavy criticism in Brazil.
July 31 – Cameroon have confirmed that discussions are under way with former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to take over as coach of the Indomitable Lions.
July 31 – Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, who recently announced a push into expanding in Asia with the opening of a Singapore office, has agreed a deal with SBOBET to become the club’s official betting partner in Asia.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – No sooner has the festering dispute over the leadership of Nigerian football been resolved with Amaju Pinnick restored as its president than the federation has been rocked by bribery allegations involving a prominent member of the Super Eagles’ coaching team, Salisu Yusuf.
July 30 – Tickets for one of the most eagerly-anticipated spectacles in world football – the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 – are now available at the-afc.com.
July 30 – Sports data specialists Genius Sports Group is to be acquired by a group of funds advised by Apax Partners. The new money will be used to expand internationally, said the company.
July 30 – Barcelona’s women’s team have secured the biggest shirt sponsorship deal to date for a women’s team, according to the club. Stanley Black & Decker have become the team’s first shirt sponsor in a 3-year deal starting this season.
July 30 – It was more than two months ago but the painful wounds of defeat are still hurting Juergen Klopp.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid team have categorically denied new revelations claiming they ran a covert campaign designed to sabotage rival bidders, specifically the United States and Australia.
July 30 – Juan Carlos Osorio, who led Mexico to the last 16 of the World Cup, has quit after three years in charge.