USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
By Paul Nicholson
October 27 – Europe’s MEPs have called for more government oversight of sports and have made it clear in their opposition to any ‘breakaway leagues’ in a report adopted by the Committee on Culture and Education by 29 votes to 1 with one 1 abstention.
October 27 – Global provider of agriculture products UPL Ltd has become a regional supporter of the 2022 World Cup.
October 27 – Two key organisations in the running of European football have announced a joint initiative calling for greater influence over decisions affecting the future of the sport in the wake of the failed breakaway Super League project and the seemingly aborted plan to stage the World Cup every two years.
October 27 – Private Equity fund Advent International is considering buying a stake in the Ligue de Football Professionnel’s (LFP) new media company.
October 27 – FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino has again called on the international community to help with the resettlement of Afghan athletes after the Taliban takeover of their country.
October 27 – OL Groupe, the holding company of Ligue1 club Olympique Lyonnias, has officially reported a loss of €33.9 million for the Covid-hit 2020/21 season, the first time the group has reported a loss since it moved to its Groupama Stadium nine years ago.
October 27 – Former England international defender Phil Neville, who now works in the United States, says social media pressure on football bosses has got “out of control” with nothing done about it.
October 26 – The governing body of Germany’s top two divisions says more than 90% of players, coaches and staff from the 36 clubs involved have received vaccines against Covid-19.
October 27 – Tributes are pouring following the death at 73 of Walter Smith, the former Scotland and Glasgow Rangers manager who won 21 trophies in an illustrious career.
October 26 – UEFA has issued a breakdown of the prize money for the Women’s EURO 2022 to be held in England next summer, as well as more detail of the club benefits programme which will see clubs compensated for releasing players.
October 26 – A study by broadcast research specialists GfK has estimated that illegal access to digital content cost the Spanish economy €682 million in 2020. Piracy is estimated to have cost Spain €5.34 billion since 2012. The equivalent of 130,000 direct and indirect jobs in the industry.
October 26 – The eagerly anticipated 12-team European playoffs to decide who joins the 10 qualifying group winners at the World Cup in Qatar will be made on November 26.
October 26 – Saint-Étienne, one of France’s most iconic clubs but currently bottom of Ligue 1, have been ordered to play their home games behind closed doors until at least the middle of next month after protests from angry fans delayed the start of last Friday’s 2-2 draw with Angers by an hour.
October 26 – Bayern Munich fans have moved again against the club’s sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways, which remains contentious amongst its fans due to the airline’s state ownership and Qatar’s human rights record.
October 26 – Chinese dairy product giant Mengniu, has signed up for its second World Cup partnership, becoming an Official Sponsor of Qatar 2022.