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.
July 30 – Liverpool have rebranded their women’s team from Liverpool Ladies to Liverpool FC Women in time for the start of the revamped Women’s Super League that kicks off September 8/9.
By Paul Nicholson
July 27 – SIGA (the Sport Integrity Global Alliance) opened its fourth Sport Integrity Forum at the United Nations Office in Geneva with a powerful call for sport to harness its power to make a difference to the social fabric of the world by Michael Møller, Director General of the United Nations Office in Geneva.
July 27 – English second-tier club Queens Park Rangers have agreed a settlement costing almost £42 million with the English Football League after an arbitration panel dismissed the club’s claims that Financial Fair Play rules are unlawful.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – Jerome Valcke, for years Fifa’s charismatic go-to troubleshooter before being snared by ethics prosecutors and falling spectacularly from grace, has lost his appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport after seeking to overturn his 10-year ban from football.