Fleeing the Taliban: More Afghan women’s players escape to safety in Pakistan
September 17 – Members of Afghanistan’s women’s football team are reported to have safely crossed the border in Pakistan to escape the Taliban regime.
Women's Euro 2025
Sweden wary of Pajor threat for Poland
July 8 – Sweden face Poland in Lucerne this evening with a place in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 quarter-finals within reach. A win for Peter Gerhardsson’s side, combined with Germany avoiding defeat against Denmark, would confirm their passage from Group C with a game to spare.
AFC Champions League giants clash: Persepolis vs Al Hilal, Ulsan vs Jeonbuk
September 16 – Iranian giants Persepolis, runners up in the 2020 AFC Champions League final, will play the 2019 champions Al Hilal SFC from Saudi Arabia in the quarter finals of this year’s competition.
Barca debt tops €1.35bn driven by out-of-control player wages. Laporta puts focus on youth
September 17 – Barcelona’s president has painted a grim picture of the full extent of the club’s financial crisis, saying its debt had risen to an eye-watering €1.35 billion.
US pay parity dispute escalates as women call USSF offer a publicity stunt
September 17 – The festering dispute between the US women’s football team (USWNT) and their national federation over equal pay has escalated further with the players union deriding the latest offer as a publicity stunt.
Concacaf redraws roadmap for Paris 2024 men’s Olympic qualifying
September 17 – Concacaf has redrawn the route to the 2024 men’s Olympic football tournament with the U-20 teams deciding the region’s representatives in Paris.
Spurs build on Korean credentials with skySports TV deal
September 17 – Premier League Tottenham Hotspur have continued to build on the their South Korean links with an agreement with skySports to broadcast exclusive club content in Korea.
PSG build on wellness with ‘Smart Good Things’ sponsorship
September 17 – Paris Saint-Germain and drinks brand Smart Good Things have partnered in a three-year deal, with part of the profit pledged to charity.
Sponsorship shot: Pop Caffè joins Inter Milan as official coffee partner
September 17 – Serie A champions Inter Milan’s owners have had a number of ‘wake up and smell the coffee’ moments financially in the last six months. Now they have a new brand of coffee to help them over those moments.
Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 qualifiers set for kick off, Palestine one of centralised hosts
September 16 – The expanded Women’s Asian Cup kicks off this Friday with 24 nations in group action as they bid for the final 12 qualifying berths at the 16 team finals to be played next year in India from January 20 to February 6.
Napoli boss De Laurentiis wants a €10bn Super League built on merit
By Samindra Kunti
September 16 – Controversial Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis tends to dream big. His latest big idea a shake-up of the European game via an alternative ‘Super League’ with entry based on merit and which he believes could generate a €10 billion investment.
China’s Guangzhou appeals for state aid to cover loss of owner Evergrande’s cash support
September 16 – Chinese top club Guangzhou have asked for government aid to survive, a move that could herald further and more structural ownership changes in the Chinese Super League (CSL).
CAF joins ICSS-led training initiative to boost Africa’s stadium security
September 16 – One of African football’s biggest problems across the continent is the condition and safety of stadiums. The African confederation highlighted the issues this year, even banning some from use. A UN-certified Sport Safety and Security Training and Advanced Education Programme for professionals in Africa football has been launched as a step towards finding solutions.
Belgium edge Brazil to keep top spot in FIFA rankings, England rise to third
September 16 – Belgium remain top of the FIFA world ranking with Brazil a close second and England a newcomer on the podium, moving into third, following matches played in September’s international window.
LaLiga beefs up sponsorship roster with 3-year Burger King deal
September 16 – La Liga and Burger King have struck a deal with the fast-food brand attaching its name to Spain’s top flight for three seasons.
Enterprise refuel Europa League deal for new 3-year team
September 16 – UEFA has renewed another sponsor partner for the Europa League, where sponsorship now comes with the addition of the Europa Conference League, giving a sponsorship spread of 64 teams from 35 of UEFA’s 55 member associations.