China’s Suning closes in on Inter Milan majority stake for €650m
June 2 – Chinese retailer Suning Commerce is reportedly close to buying a 60% stake in Inter Milan, the latest foray into European football by Chinese investors.
Gold Cup 2025
Qatari trio share the legacy and learnings of the 2022 World Cup on duty at the Gold Cup
June 18 – Three Qatari FA execs are currently working the 2025 Gold Cup circuit as part of the collaboration between Concacaf and the hosts of the 2022 World Cup that has provided an on-going legacy and international knowledge exchange programme.
Hershman to head ICSS as it enters next stage of development
June 2 – A leading anti-corruption expert who was part of the original team commissioned by FIFA to recommend specific reform proposals has become Group CEO of the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS).
Liverpool add Roma match in US to pre-season schedule
June 2 – Liverpool have added a third US fixture to their pre-season schedule. Already competing in the International Champions Cup (ICC) tournament, they will now play AS Roma from Italy’s Serie A in St Louis on August 1.
European football set to hit €25bn in revenue next season, says Deloitte
By David Owen
June 2 – Aggregate revenues of clubs in the Big Five European leagues are expected to exceed €15 billion by the end of next season due in part to the new cycle of Premier League TV deals, according to the latest Annual Review of Football Finance just published by Deloitte, the professional services firm.
Exclusive: Espelund quits football politics deciding not to run for FIFA Council
By Andrew Warshaw
June 1 – European football has lost the services of arguably its most knowledgeable and dedicated voice in the women’s game after Karen Espelund decided not to put her name forward as UEFA’s representative on FIFA’s newly established ruling Council.
Argentina threat to pull out of Copa America Centenario is withdrawn
By Samindra Kunti
June 1 – Argentina will be playing in the Copa Centenario this month after the federation withdrew a threat that it will pull its team out in protest against government intervention in the running of the country’s football association. Argentina FA (AFA) president Luis Segura, speaking in Buenos Aires, said that the team would remain in its California training base and would not be flying home.
Messi tax fraud trial opens in Spain with father lined up to take the fall for son
June 1 – The long-awaited trial of Argentina and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi on tax fraud charges has begun in Spain – but he will not appear in court until later this week.
England opt for youth and returning players for Euro challenge
June 1 – England fans have reacted with bemusement – some with incredulity – after Danny Drinkwater, one of the stars of Leicester City’s miraculous title-winning season, was left out of the England squad for Euro 2016 whilst a player who managed just three league games because of injury was included.
Kick It Out tackles online discrimination with Euro 2016 campaign
June 1- The Kick It Out anti-discrimination body is calling on fans at Euro 2016 to flag up any abuse of players on social media. Dubbed ‘Klick It Out’, the campaign is seeking to raise awareness of online abuse within football.
ENPL will complement US Academy system, not compete with it, says Club boss
By Paul Nicholson
June 1 – The newly launched Elite National Premier League (ENPL) will complement the newly activated USSF Development Academy (DA) programme and league, not detract from it, says Kevin Payne, CEO of US Club Soccer, one of the founding organisations of the new national league alongside the Elite Clubs National League (ENCL).
Video gaming big guns ready their tanks for a Euro 2016 battle royal
By Paul Nicholson
June 1 – It looks like being the only way to get tanked during the Euro 2016 tournament without fear of arrest for drunken behaviour or terrorist activity. World of Tanks has launched its Tank Football 2016 video game in time for the Euros.
Turkish Airlines in final approach for Euro 2016 take-off
June 1 – Travellers concerned they are going to miss Euro 2016 action should consider booking with Turkish Airlines who will be streaming matches live on their widebody aircraft – Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s – on all international flights.
Released tapes shows Infantino plot to remove Scala was not a ‘ludicrous’ fabrication
By Paul Nicholson and Andrew Warshaw
May 31 – The truth around the latest controversy to hit FIFA president Gianni Infantino has taken another intriguing twist with the release of taped transcripts that appear to confirm he had pushed for the removal of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance chief Domenico Scala.
Samoura debuts at FIFA House unveiling Boban and Villiger as deputies
By Andrew Warshaw
May 31 – Gianni Infantino, under increasing pressure to boost his personal reputation after a series of early presidential faux pas, has stepped up his policy of sweeping out the old guard at FIFA and bringing in his own senior staff.
Right wing politicians pollute German Euro preparations
May 31 – Racial tension is building in Germany ahead of next month’s Euros in France after a right-wing politician’s incendiary comments about international defender Jerome Boateng whose father is from Ghana.