Ronaldo takes to Twitter as Spanish sports court rules out ban appeal
August 23 – Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted furiously to his five-game ban for pushing a referee being upheld by Spain’s administrative sports court.
Dynamo Kiev defy Ukrainian FA and refuse to play in Mariupol over safety fears
By Mark Baber
August 23 – The executive committee of the Ukrainian FA has voted 28-2 in favour of continuing to hold Ukrainian Premier League matches in Mariupol, notwithstanding Dynamo Kiev’s apparent decision not to play in the city this weekend.
Sampson vs Aluko: FA sticks by manager as PFA’s Taylor enters the fray
August 23 – The English Football Association is reported to be sticking by the coach of its national women’s team Mark Sampson despite fresh allegations that he made a racist remark towards striker Eniola Aluko.
Show me the money: Barca want €8m from Neymar. He wants another €26m off them
August 23 – Barcelona have announced that they intend to sue Neymar for breach of contract following his increasingly bitter departure to Paris St Germain for a world record €222 million.
AFC turns up sponsorship tap with C’estbon Champions League deal to 2020
August 23 – The Asian Champions League, the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) top club competition in the region, has attracted another sponsor to its portfolio, with Chinese bottled water brand C’estbon coming on board as an Official Supporter.
Qatar National Bank backs league and FA in six-year deal
August 23 – The Qatar National Bank (QNB) has renewed its partnership with the Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the Qatar Stars League Management (QSLM) until the end of the 2022/23 season.
Fancy Bears lift lid on football doping, WADA suggests data has been doctored
By Andrew Warshaw
August 22 – The notorious cyber hacking group Fancy Bears, whose doping suspicions cast a dark shadow over athletics and cycling, has turned its attention to football with a damning list of allegations about drug cheats at the highest level.
CAF delays Kenya inspection as 2018 CHAN hosting looks to be slipping away
By Mark Baber
August 22 – With qualification for the 2018 African Nations Championship winding up this evening, it remains to be seen where the final tournament will be held, as The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announces they are delaying a crucial inspection visit to Official Host Kenya until September 7.
Sampson and FA feel the heat as Aluko refuses to be swept under the carpet
August 22 – Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing after one of his star players Eniola Aluko made a complaint to the English football authorities about “bullying and harassment”, the coach of the England women’s team Mark Sampson is back in the firing line.
Ghelamco to file new stadium plans in last chance for Brussels 2020 hosting
By Samindra Kunti
August 22 – Building contractor Ghelamco will file a new application for the construction of Brussels’ Eurostadium with the Flemish government as time is running out for the venue. The Belgian capital is slotted to host multiple matches during Euro 2020.
CSL target $150m with Crazy Sports gaming deal
August 22 – The Chinese Super League has announced plans to create online football games as it searches for new sources of revenue.
Podolski legals up against Breitbart for misuse of his image
August 22 – Former German international Lukas Podolski is reported to be considering legal action after a right-wing website printed a photo of him with an article about illegal immigration.
Barnsley look poised for hook-up with OGC Nice’s Chinese owners
August 22 – The sale of English Championship club Barnsley to Chinese businessman Chien Liew and his consortium will take at least another three weeks.
Mundipharma expands Man City deal globally for BETADINE® brand
August 22 – Manchester City have upgraded their one-year old regional sponsorship with pharmaceutical company Mundipharama to a global deal for its BETADINE brand.
Spurs’ bottom of attendance chart but Wembley turn out makes case for new stadium
August 21 – Tottenham Hotspur’s first Premier League home game at their temporary Wembley home drew a crowd of 73,587, more than double the capacity of White Hart Lane last season.