Video ref on the spot in Bundesliga and Serie A
August 21 – The champions of the Bundesliga and Serie A saw a couple of key decisions of the new season overturned by the video assistant referee at the weekend.
Valcke breaks silence saying Blatter knew FIFA had US lawyers ready to roll
By Andrew Warshaw
August 18 – Eighteen months after being sacked, former FIFA number two Jerome Valcke has broken his long silence by wading into the debate over Sepp Blatter’s suggestion that a plot to remove him was hatched well before the US-led investigation into football-related corruption that ultimately led to his downfall.
FanLeague’s UK debut set to reinvigorate the pools betting market and make it more social
By Paul Nicholson
August 18 – FanLeague, a new entrant in the pools betting market, has launched this month and is rolling out a product that looks like becoming a real contender in the pools betting business, marrying the gaming element with strong social features.
North America warms to 2026 World Cup bid with 46 cities hunting a piece of the action
August 18 – Thirty-four cities in the United States, seven in Canada and three in Mexico, in all encompassing 49 stadia, are on a list of proposed venues to host the 2026 World Cup, the United Bid Committee for the three prospective joint hosts has announced.
Cameroon wait for AFCON 2019 hosting ruling with Morocco lobbying in the wings
By Andrew Warshaw
August 18 – Cameroon will learn on September 23 whether it can go ahead and stage the first expanded African Nations Cup finals in 2019 or whether it will have to step down through lack of facilities.
Spurs connect with China’s fast growing LEAGOO as smart phone partner
August 18 – Premier League Tottenham Hotspur have unveiled China-based smart phone and technology provider LEAGOO as the club’s Official Mobile Phone Partner in a five-year deal that starts with the 2017/2018 season.
England women’s coach working on his comms skills
August 18 – The coach of the England women’s team Mark Sampson says he is “looking to improve” his general communication style after being cleared of racial abuse.
PSG hire Fernandez to build its youth academy and expansion links
By Samindra Kunti
August 18 – Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the return of former player and coach Luis Fernandez to the club, this time in the role of the youth academy’s sporting director as the club seek a further reboot.
Players scramble for safety as aerial egg assault halts Nantwich vs Altrincham derby
August 18 – Waterlogged pitches often lead to matches being halted. So, sadly on occasions, does hooliganism. But surely this is one of the most “egg-straordinary” reasons ever.
Ladbrokes sign up Burnley and Leicester as FA deal is left behind them
August 18 – Ladbrokes, one of the UK’s leading High Street and online bookmakers, has announced two new partnerships with Premier League clubs Burnley and Leicester City for the 2017/18 season.
Man City lay the groundwork for CFG acquisition of La Liga’s Girona
By Paul Nicholson
August 17 – Manchester City owners City Football Group (CFG) look poised to complete the acquisition of their sixth club. La Liga’s Girona, promoted to Spain’s top flight this season, are currently hosting Man City and their management in a four-day training camp that ends today.
Legal comment: Understanding the Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar’s tax cases
The open proceedings in Spain regarding the tax cases of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr.[1], are too often believed to be the same, or at least, very similar cases. Alexander Guede in this column clarifies the different cases and their implications for the individuals and Spanish football.
Closing borders? Nigerian Onazi has transfer to Birmingham City scuppered
By Mark Baber
August 17 – Nigerian international Qgenyi Onazi (pictured) has seen his transfer to Birmingham City from Trabzonspor scuppered after he failed to meet the requirements for governing body endorsement and an FA Exceptions Panel failed to rule in his favour.
Bolivian reform setback as FA chief Peredo quits ‘carnival’ to play elsewhere
By Samindra Kunti
August 17 – The president of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) Marco Peredo resigned on Wednesday, citing “the carnival” that persists in Bolivian football and the resistance to his presidency as his motives.
‘This is what you call persecution’, says Ronaldo
August 17 – After losing his appeal against a five-match ban for pushing a referee during Sunday night’s Spanish Super Cup 3-1 first-leg victory over Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo, used his Instagram account to claim “This is what you call persecution.”