Guardiola takes two-week break for surgery
August 23 – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has undergone emergency back surgery and will be out of action for up to a month, the club said.
Gold Cup 2025
El Salvador self destruct in Houston as Canada Marsch on
Canada 2-0 El Salvador
June 24 – Fresh from emerging from a Concacaf-imposed timeout, Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch returned to the technical area at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, knowing any more misbehaviour would send him back to the naughty room. He needn’t have worried as their opponents El Salvador simply imploded in a red mist.
Sportradar picks up US Soccer betting data rights in multi-year deal
August 23 – The U.S. Soccer federation has agreed a global, long-term partnership with Sportradar for the collection and distribution of the federation’s betting data and content.
Parimatch extends Leicester City partnership as club look for a bounce-back season
August 23 – Leicester City, relegated from the Premier League last season but now joint top of the Championship, have extended their partnership with online sports betting and casino brand Parimatch, managed by Gibraltar-based online gambling operator BVGroup.
Spain’s World Cup winners return home to Madrid victory parade
August 22 – Spain began their reign as Women’s World Cup champions by arriving home to a victory parade on the streets of Madrid.
Aussie FA bosses say Women’s World Cup has ‘reshaped’ the sporting landscape in Australia
By Paul Nicholson
August 23 – Football Australia chief executive James Johnson, speaking at the conclusion of the Women’s World Cup co-hosted with neighbours New Zealand, said that the event over the past month has “demonstrated a concrete, real, legacy for the women’s game in Australia, New Zealand and around the world. The women’s game has changed.”
Deals not done: Doku set for Man City move, Liverpool eye Kalvin Phillips
August 22 – Belgium international and Stade Rennais winger Jeremy Doku is on the verge of completing a €60 million transfer to Manchester City, as talks have reached their conclusion after rumbling on for the past week.
Qatar’s iconic Lusail Stadium to host opening match and final of 2023 Asian Cup
August 22 – The AFC has switched the opening game and final of the Asian Cup 2023, to be played in Qatar in Jan-Feb 2024, to the iconic 88,000-capacity Lusail Stadium, the venue for the final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Man Utd decide Greenwood is too hot to handle
August 22 – Manchester United’s former England forward Mason Greenwood is to leave the club after a criminal investigation of possible attempted rape was closed by prosecutors six months ago.
FIFA promises Women’s Club World Cup every four years is in planning
August 22 – FIFA has said it is advancing with plans for a Women’s Club World Cup, but details on the tournament format and timeline remain scant.
Bulgarian bookie WInbet all-in for another year as Botev Plovdiv’s main sponsor
August 22 – Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv has renewed its shirt sponsorship deal bookmaker WINBET. The new contract between the club and Bulgaria-headquartered bookmaker is for one year.
LaLiga Hope Cup returns to China with 12-team U-16 tournament
August 22 – LaLiga has announced the return of the LaLiga Hope Cup to Kunming, China, that will see six LaLiga U-16 sides face six Chinese Super League teams August 25-30.
Out of Toon. Amazon’s Newcastle doc reveals adidas as new kit partner
August 22 – Newcastle United are set to replace sportswear manufacturer Castore with leisurewear giant and former long-term sponsor Adidas in a five-year deal reportedly worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
Kiss-and-apologise Rubiales admits his mistake and promises to do better
August 22 – The head of Spanish football Luis Rubiales has apologised following his unsolicited kiss on the mouth of player Jennifer Hermoso’s lips during the post-match formalities of the Women’s World Cup final. Spain’s second deputy prime minister had called for his resignation.
Brazilian bookie Esportes da Sorte agrees sponsorship renewal for Paulistão
August 22 – Online bookmaker Esportes da Sorte has renewed its sponsorship of Brazil’s regional Paulista Football Federation (FPF) for the 2024 edition of Paulistão.
WWC2023 leaves a broad legacy, but safeguarding female players hasn’t been prioritised
By Samindra Kunti in Sydney
August 21 – At the end of a bumper Women’s World Cup and following prolonged consultations, FIFA have still not established a safe sport unit to protect female players from abuse. FIFA’s head of women’s football Sarai Bareman (pictured) however says one will be launched when ready.