England in front of UEFA disciplinary over fan violence at Euro 2020 final
August 4 – After a long wait, UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the English FA over the appalling scenes that marred the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Cruzeiro drop non-profit status in bid to raise finance and return to top flight
August 4 – Cruzeiro has become the first major Brazilian club to abandon its non-profit entity status in favour of a company structure – ‘Sociedade Anônima’ – as the club moves to restructure its finances.
AFC Cup draw plots route through Covid challenges to October final
August 4 – The knockout draw for the AFC Cup 2021 took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia earlier today (Wednesday).
Italian football asks for two-year lifting of betting sponsorship ban
August 4 – The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has called on national regulators to temporarily lift the betting sponsorship and advertising ban to allow clubs and the league an opportunity to recoup lost revenue.
Everton embrace cryptocurrency with planned $EFC Fan Token launch
August 4 – Premier League Everton have become the latest club to join the blockchain-based Fan Token platform on the Chiliz platform.
2021 Arab Cup in Qatar will have mandatory vaccination policy
August 3 – FIFA and local organisers have confirmed a mandatory vaccination policy for all ticket holders at the 2021 Arab Cup, a World Cup dress rehearsal in Qatar in December.
Dementia debate: balls should be sold with ‘heading health warning’ says researcher
August 3 – Debate over the possible link between repeated heading and suffering from dementia in later life has intensified with a leading researcher suggesting there should be an official health warning.
Kenya suspends 5 refs in match-fixing scandal
August 3 – Kenya has provisionally suspended five top football league referees over allegations of match-fixing and the manipulation of national league results.
Saudi Arabia still committed in bid to host Asian Cup 2027
August 3 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) have reasserted their commitment towards hosting the 2027 Asian Cup finals following the AFC’s announcement that the date for the bid award has moved back in 2022.
FIFA launches mental health campaign #ReachOut to ‘encourage conversation’
August 3 – FIFA has launched a campaign focusing on “raising awareness of the symptoms of mental conditions”. The #ReachOut campaign, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), aims to encourage individuals in football to seek help when they need it.
French clubs protest against Nancy and owner PMG’s flouting of transfer ban
August 3 – Eleven Ligue 2 clubs in France have denounced what they claim is unfair competition in terms of multi-ownership by the Pacific Media Group.
Brazil win penalty shoot out against Mexico to qualify for Olympic final
August 3 – A flawless penalty shoot-out was what defending champions Brazil needed in the end to reach the gold medal match of Tokyo 2020 after a grueling and goalless 120 minutes against 2012 nemesis Mexico.
Man City renew medical partnership with UAE’s Healthpoint
August 3 – Manchester City has renewed its partnership with Healthpoint, a leading centre for sports-related injury, prevention and rehabilitation based in Abu Dhabi.
Barca, Real Madrid and Juve keep Super League agenda alive with help of Madrid court
By Andrew Warshaw
August 2 – Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid, the three rebel European Super League clubs who have refused to abandon the project, are celebrating winning what they claim is a potentially crucial legal battle with UEFA.
Terrorist bomb attack on Somali club bus kills 3 and wounds 6
By Paul Nicholson
August 1 – Barely two weeks after the celebration of a full Mogadishu Stadium for a top of the table league clash, Somali football was struck by tragedy on Friday after a terrorist attack on a team bus killed two players, the bus driver and wounded five others.