NISA confirms June start for third edition of Independent Cup
May 6 – The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), which runs a USSF-recognised third tier league in the US, has announced the return of the NISA Independent Cup (NIC).
Spurned by US seller, Ratcliffe bangs the drum for keeping Chelsea British
May 5 – British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has gone public saying he is “not giving up” on taking over Chelsea despite apparently being told to forget his £4.25 billion offer.
Seattle Sounders break Mexican grip on Champions League with history making win over Pumas
May 5 – MLS club Seattle Sounders broke the vice-like grip LigaMX clubs have held on the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League with a 3-0 win over Pumas UNAM in the second leg of the final at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
Out of step: Infantino’s whitewashing comments on migrant workers continue to offend
May 5 – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said Gianni Infantino insulted migrant workers in Qatar after the FIFA president said they get “dignity and pride” from their work.
With Champions League groups complete, Buriram steps up to fill AFC Cup hosting gap
May 5 – Having just completed hosting a centralised group stage of the AFC’s Champions League, Buriram in Thailand has stepped up again to fill the hosting gap left in the AFC Cup.
UCL: Real Madrid shatter Man City dreams to book Paris trip for Liverpool rendezvous
By Andrew Warshaw
May 5 – It’s happened again, only this time it’s scarcely believable. Just like Paris St Germain, Manchester City are still chasing the most coveted prize in European club football after being knocked out in the semi-finals of the Champions League by a Real Madrid team who yet again defied the odds to take their place in the final against Liverpool on May 28.
FIFA picks Qatar’s Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium for final World Cup play-offs
May 5 – FIFA has selected Qatar’s Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium as the venue for the intercontinental play-off matches that will decide the final two places for the 2022 World Cup finals in the country later this year.
Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ shirt sold at auction for £7.1m
May 5 – The shirt worn by Diego Maradona when he scored the controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the 1986 World Cup has been sold for a staggering £7.1 million, the highest price ever paid at auction for a piece of sports memorabilia.
MLS signs Socios in blockchain deal but Fan Token not on the agenda, yet
May 5 – Blockchain platform Socios has signed a league-level deal with Major League Soccer, making further strides into US sports.
SIGA sets September dates for Sport Integrity Week on Portuguese Riviera
May 5 – SIGA has set September 12-16 as the dates for its 2022 Sport Integrity Week (#SIW2022) which will become an in-person event but will retain its successful digital format of the past two years.
Mukuru grab Crystal Palace’s sleeve and Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers naming rights
May 5 – African financial services platform Mukuru has secured the sleeve sponsorship of Crystal Palace in the Premier League and a naming rights deal for the top Malawi Super League Team, The Mighty Wanderers FC.
Chelsea sale clouded as Abramovich wants debt repaid and Ratcliffe questions US money
May 4 – The imminent sale of Chelsea is reported to have hit a potential snag over fears that owner Roman Abramovich might renege on his pledge to write off a £1.6 billion debt.
FIFA acts on systemic sexual abuse in Gabon with first four officials banned
May 4 – FIFA have extended an investigation into alleged systematic sexual abuse of under-age players in Gabon by opening formal proceedings against four officials.
Beating the Premier League: Ceferin argues other Big 5 leagues aren’t competitive enough
May 4 – With Liverpool through to the final of the Champions League and Manchester City aiming to join them to set up yet another all-English showdown, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has bemoaned the lack of competitiveness in other so-called Big Five footballing countries where the domestic leagues are perennially dominated by the same teams.
Ajax promise change of culture after Overmars scandal
May 4 – Ajax Amsterdam have vowed to change their club culture and build a safe workplace for female employees following a report into Marc Overmars’ inappropriate behaviour.