China eye World Cup bid but non-committal on whether 2030 or 2034
May 19 – Zhang Jian, China’s newly elected FIFA council member, says a World Cup bid from his country will come “sooner or later” but has declined to specify when.
South Korea set for U-20 World Cup kick off with France and Uruguay favourites
By Samindra Kunti
May 19 – This Saturday the FIFA U20 World Cup kicks off with Germany and Venezuela playing the opening match in Daejeon, South Korea, thought the tournament favourites are a two other teams from Europe and South America – France and Uruguay.
FIFA to roll out video refs at U20 World Cup in South Korea
May 19 – The Under-20 World Cup, which runs from this Saturday to June 11 in six South Korean cities, will be the first FIFA youth tournament to employ video assistant referees but the world governing body’s head of refereeing has cautioned against its over-use.
English FA cracks down on ‘diving’ cheats as reforms start to filter through
May 19 – Players who dive or feign injury could face two-match suspensions from the start of next season under a new English Football Association crackdown.
Swedish FA calls off top tier fixture after match-fixing attempt on AIK player
May 19 – One of the biggest fixtures in the Swedish football calendar has been postponed due to match-fixing fears.
Schalke to put payment chip in AllyouneedFresh sleeve sponsorship
May 19 – German Bundesliga club Schalke 04 will have an integrated chip in its replica shirts next season allowing fans to pay for services in the Veltins-Arena.
Two more FIFA Ethics bigwigs quit in protest over Maduro firing
By Andrew Warshaw
May 18 – Two more highly respected members of FIFA’s governance committee have resigned in protest at the removal the body’s chairman, Miguel Maduro, axed in last week’s purge of senior ethics watchdogs.
Poisoned fixture: Malaysia hope for neutral venue for North Korea qualifier
May 18 – Malaysia still hopes its postponed Asian Cup qualifier against North Korea can be played at a neutral venue despite an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ruling to postpone the highly sensitive match yet again – this time until October.
Trepca ’89 get UEFA approval to make Kosovo’s Champions League debut
May 18 – Trepca ’89 will make history next month when they become the first Kosovan club side to compete in Europe after winning a spot in the Champions League qualifying draw.
Out: long walk to pick up the trophy. In: pitch party celebrations
May 18 – Winning team captains will no longer lead their players up to the VIP area of stadiums to receive European club trophies.
Qatar’s revamped Khalifa stadium to debut with Emir Cup final, 5 years before 2022 kick off
By Paul Nicholson
May 18 – Qatar will re-open the Khalifa International Stadium this weekend, the first tournament-ready venue for the first winter World Cup that kicks off 21 November 2022. Khalifa International will host group matches and knock out rounds up to the quarter finals in 2022, but before then it will host the 2017 Emir Cup final, 2017 Gulf Cup and 2019 IAAF World Championships.
ICSS launches investigation unit with focus on high level corruption
May 18 – The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) has set up a special investigations unit that can be hired to look into sports corruption.
Everton stream Snapchat content live to Goodison Park big screens
May 18 – Everton broke new ground for thie final Premier League home game of the season last Friday by streaming Snapchat social media content live to the big screens in Goodison Park using Tagboard technology, a first in the Premier League.
Growing baby brand Joie signs Liverpool deal to help it through puberty
May 18 – Liverpool have signed a three-year partnership deal that with babywear manufacturer Joie to become the club’s first Official Family Partner and Global Baby Gear Partner. No figure was announced for the deal.
Political tensions force AFC to push North Korea vs Malaysia match to October
May 17 – The Asian Football Confederation, which for several weeks has been searching for a suitable venue for the postponed North Korea-Malaysia 2019 Asian Cup qualifier that was delayed from the original March 28 date and rescheduled for June 8, has decided on a further postponement until October “because of the geo-political tension on the Korean Peninsula”.