Past has a future. FIFA re-jigs Museum project to keep doors open
May 30 – FIFA is keeping faith with its much-troubled world football museum in Zurich despite a swathe of redundancies at the loss-making venue.
France show class as England build and Argentina crash in South Korea U20 finals
By Samindra Kunti
May 30 – Six-time champions Argentina suffered a shock group stage exit from the U20 World Cup in South Korea. Favourites France marched undefeated into the round of 16, with both Venezuela and Zambia impressing in the group games.
In or out? Suspense mounts as final act of Wenger saga unravels
May 30 – Will he stay or will he go? All will shortly be revealed. The future of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, by far the longest serving manager in English top-flight football, is expected to be announced this week after the Frenchman held a meeting with Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke and chief executive Ivan Gazidis on Monday.
Feeling their way. Qatar breaks ground with ‘sensory room’ stadium project
May 30 – As the first 2022 World Cup stadium opened its gates for Qatar’s Emir Cup final last week, a pilot sensory room project also kicked off, designed to improve the match-day experience for supporters with cognitive disabilities.
From bust to boom. Huddersfield Town win £170m game to enter PL promised land
May 31 – It may not be quite as remarkable a fairytale as Leicester City’s Premier League title a year ago but Huddersfield Town are the latest club to defy the odds – and all financial logic – by grabbing a spot in English football’s top flight.
Biting the hand that feeds him. Tevez says China is 50 years behind Europe
May 30 – He is one of world football’s best-paid players, reaping the rewards of Chinese football’s import boom, yet Carlos Tevez has told a Spanish broadcaster the sport in the country of his latest employers is 50 years behind Europe.
Honduran tragedy as four fans killed at league play off final
May 30 – What should have been a day of celebration ended in tragedy when at least four people died and many others were injured during a stampede prior to the sellout league title game in Honduras between Motagua and Honduras Progres.
New Balance makes FAI eyes smile with new kit deal
May 30 – New Balance has added its first European national team to its roster, picking up the kit sponsorship of the Republic of Ireland (FAI) national team from the start of the 2017/18 season. The US sportswear firm is also sponsor of Costa Rica and Panama.
Judge denies Rosell bail as money laundering probe deepens and Teixeira collusion unmasked
May 26 – Once one of the most influential figures in European football, playing a prominent role in the European Club Association and representing the body on various UEFA and FIFA committees, Sandro Rosell faces a grim future after a Spanish judge ordered prison without bail for the former Barcelona boss.
Is Ronaldo next? Spain’s prosecutors probe potential €15m tax fraud
May 26 – Having already snared one of the two best players in world football in Lionel Messi, the Spanish tax evasion scandal could be about to involve the other after prosecutors revealed they are considering whether Cristiano Ronaldo should face charges over allegations that he defrauded the authorities of €15 million between 2011 and 2014.
Chelsea top PL earnings with £152.8m; Man City, Liverpool and Spurs break up old order
May 26 – Chelsea topped the table of Premier League revenue share from TV, commercial and merit awards with £152.8 million for the 2016-17 season. The season marked an earnings breakthrough for Manchester City who came second, ahead of rivals and perennial cash machine Manchester United who were down in fifth spot in terms of PL earnings.
FIFA knew of North Korean workers human rights abuse in St Petersburg, claims report
May 26 – A report by Britain’s Guardian newspaper claims FIFA knew about North Korean workers being employed in dire conditions in the construction of a 2018 World Cup site in St Petersburg.
Spurs in Hong Kong to launch new expanded sponsor deal with AIA
May 26 – Premier League Tottenham Hotspur have extended their shirt deal with insurance group AIA until the end of the 2021-22 season. The club announced the extension while on their post-season tour to Hong Kong at AIA Group’s headquarters.
Liverpool lead club line-up for Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong
May 26 – The biennial Premier League Asia Trophy will be held this July in Hong Kong with Liverpool leading the line-up and being joined by Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.
Spanish judge upholds sentence and slams Messi over ‘know nothing’ tax dodge
By Andrew Warshaw
May 25 – Ten months after Lionel Messi and his father were given 21-month suspended jail sentences for tax fraud relating to the player’s image rights, Spain’s Supreme Court has confirmed both the sentence and the €2 million fine imposed on Barcelona’s Argentine superstar.