Japan to host East Zone AFC Champions League knock-out rounds in August
June 20 – Japan has stepped up to host the East zone knockout rounds for the AFC Champions League 2022 to be played in August.
Hate speech alive and kicking: 50%+ of players at Euro 2020 and AFCON abused
June 20 – Over half of the players who competed in the latter stages of Euro 2020 and the African Cup of Nations finals were abused online before, during and after the game, according to a shocking report released jointly by FIFA and FIFPRO, the international players’ union.
Belgian Pro League agrees cut to 16-team top tier but doubles size of second division
June 20 – The Belgian top flight will be downsized from 18 to 16 clubs in the 2023-24 season, the Pro League decided at a general assembly. The second division however will double in size from eight to 16 clubs, including U-23 teams.
Saudis claim first U23 Asian title, Salman points to another win for Asia
June 20 – Saudi Arabia claimed their first AFC U23 Asian Cup title with an imperious 2-0 win over host nation Uzbekistan on Sunday.
Frito-lay chips in with North American regional sponsorship for Qatar 2022
June 20 – Hard on the heels of the host venues announcement for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada, FIFA has unveiled US snack brand Frito-Lay as regional sponsor for the Qatar 2022 edition.
Protest and a pint. Arnold faces fan frustrations down the pub
June 20 – Manchester United’s chief executive Richard Arnold took the unusual step of meeting with a group of disgruntled supporters in a local pub after hearing they had planned a protest outside his house.
Al-Khelaifi changing room outburst after PSG loss to Real Madrid to go unpunished
June 20 – UEFA have cleared their own executive committee member Nasser al-Khelaifi (pictured) of any wrongdoing despite finding his club Paris Saint-Germain guilty of misconduct for confrontations with match officials after being knocked out of this season’s Champions League.
FIFA unveils 2026 host cities with 11 in the US. New York immediately stakes claim for the final
June 17 – The 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico is beginning to take shape after FIFA announced the 16 host cities for the tournament on Thursday. The American capital Washington, D.C./Baltimore and Edmonton didn’t make the cut, reducing Canada very much to a junior partner with just two host cities.
Tebas warns that FFP-beating ‘state-owned’ clubs are a clear danger to Europe’s club game
By Andrew Warshaw
June 17 – Spanish football boss Javier Tebas (pictured) has lashed out yet again at what he describes as cash-rich “state-owned” clubs endangering the entire landscape of elite football competition.
Ex-Russian captain Igor Denisov breaks ranks to call Ukraine war ‘a complete horror’
June 17 – The former captain of Russia’s national team has taken the bold and courageous step of publicly condemning Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, risking the wrath of the Kremlin and potentially a lengthy jail term.
Boehly says FFP is getting teeth. Not putting his money where his mouth is?
June 17 – New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly says UEFA’s financial fair play rules are starting to bite and that clubs will no longer be able to sign players “at any price” due to the risks of sanctions.
Betano expands in Portugal with 4-year FC Porto shirt deal
June 17 – Online bookmaker and gaming site Betano has expanded its sponsorship of Portuguese SuperLiga champions FC Porto to becoming the club’s main partner.
ECA launches Ukraine relief fund with UEFA Foundation support
June 17 – The European Club Association and the UEFA Foundation for Children are inviting clubs to apply for a €25,000 and €50,000 grant to support efforts with humanitarian initiatives to assist the Ukrainian people.
Egypt fire Galal after just three matches
June 17 – Ehab Galal has been dismissed as the head coach of the Egyptian national team after just three matches in charge, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) have confirmed.
US and Europe dominate women’s ranking as nations in competition grows to 181
June 17 – With a summer of confederation women’s championship about to begin – Concacaf, CAF and UEFA are all kicking off significantly expanded competitions in July – FIFA has released its biggest Women’s World Rankings to date with 181 nations included.