Mourinho takes ‘ethical’ high ground over massive Pogba fee (really)
August 10 – Jose Mourinho has wasted no time getting under his rivals’ skin following the £89 million world record transfer of Paul Pogba to Manchester United.
Hull City sale talks back on with Chinese group entering the bidding
August 10 – Hull City’s sale talks appear to be back on after the Allam family owners had announced that they had put negotiations on hold while they stabilised the club for the start of the Premier League season. The negotiations now appear to be with a Chinese group rather than the US consortium they were in talks with.
West Ham add Experience Kissimmee as first ‘destination’ partner
August 10 – Premier League West Ham United have announced a three-year partnership with American destination marketing firm, Experience Kissimmee. The Florida-based firm will be the club’s Official Destination Partner starting this season.
FUN88 returns to Spurs partner fold in two-year Asian focused deal
August 10 – Online bookmaker FUN88 has returned as a Tottenham Hotspur sponsor in a two-year deal after having taken a two-year break from the club.
Ranieri commits to four more years of Leicester story
August 10 – Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri, who masterminded the club’s memorable Premier League success last season, has signed a new four-year contract.
Weakened Real Madrid lay down marker with gritty Super Cup win
August 10 – Champions League winners Real Madrid edged Europa League titlists and fellow Spaniards Sevilla 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic Super Cup in Norway.
Andrew Warshaw: FIFA’s double standards. It’s what we call reform
To lose one FIFA president may be considered unfortunate. To lose two in the space of a few months smacks of carelessness. Apologies to fans of Oscar Wilde for the adulteration of one of his most pithy sayings but it might well be used to characterise last week’s ruling by FIFA’s ethics committee – one of the most momentous and controversial since the body was first set up – to let Gianni Infantino off the hook.
TV rights sales ruling clears Premier League to keep driving the market
By Paul Nicholson
August 9 – The Premier League has been cleared to continue its UK broadcast rights sales after regulator Ofcom closed an investigation into how live rights are sold and whether the auction system restricted or distorted competition.
EA Sports ups its sponsorship game with new Premier League deal
August 9 – The Premier League has announced video game maker EA Sports as a new Lead Partner in a three-year deal that significantly expands its current partnership with league.
TLCBET puts its money on Middlesbrough to deliver new Asian opportunity
August 9 – Middlesbrough, newly promoted to the Premier League, have announced TLCBET as the club’s official betting and gaming partner as the club moves to take the market opportunity of exposure in Asia to the Asian betting community that the Premier League offers. No figure was announced for the deal.
Saudi Super Cup goes to penalty shoot-out at Fulham’s Craven Cottage
August 9 – It is more common to see European clubs heading to the Middle East to train and play friendly matches than to see Middle Eastern club come to Europe to play competition. But that is what happened in West London last night when Fulham’s raven Cottage hosted the Saudi Super Cup.
Man Utd break records with £89m for Pogba. City fork out £47.5m for Stones
August 9 – World football’s record transfer fee has been smashed again after Paul Pogba’s return to Manchester United finally went through when the French international midfielder signed a five-year contract with the option to extend for a further year.
Bundesliga 2 kick off tops big name club friendlies with German TV audiences
August 9 – The opening of the Bundesliga 2 season in Germany has recorded strong viewing figures according to pay-TV broadcaster Sky. While football in general, ahead of the big league kick offs, is rating comparatively well against the Olympics that are taking place in Rio.
Ceferin unveils manifesto based on evolving UEFA towards a ‘perfect balance’
By Andrew Warshaw
August 8 – UEFA presidential candidate Aleksander Ceferin has issued his manifesto focussing on the need for Europe’s lesser-known clubs and countries to be given proper opportunities in major competitions.
US watching? Infantino hangs out with Brazil’s ‘Most Wanted’ Del Nero
By Paul Nicholson
August 8 – If the FBI is having trouble finding (and arresting) Brazilian football president Marco Polo del Nero then they should have a word with FIFA’s new president Gianni Infantino. He was pictured at the weekend hanging out with del Nero in Rio de Janeiro during the opening days of the Olympic games.