WHO warns Euro 2020 organisers against turning finals into a covid ‘super spreader’
July 2 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced concerns over Euro 2020, warning that the continental finals could act as a “super-spreader”.
Gold Cup 2025
El Tri’s home away from home
Mexico 2-0 Suriname:
June 18 – The Mexican national team is perhaps the only country in world football that plays home matches in two countries. The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is, of course, their spiritual home; however, in Los Angeles – where they roared to victory over the Dominican Republic – and tonight in the heart of Texas at AT&T Stadium in Arlington versus Suriname, the team is welcomed by partisan support and rapturous anticipation.
Orkila spend €50m on Belgian champions Club Brugge
July 2 – Belgian champions Club Brugge have a new backer, with investment fund Orkila Capital pouring €20 million of working capital into the club.
Juve turbo charge finances with €400m of new money and an ex-Ferrari F1 exec
July 2 – Juventus say they expect to lose €320 million because of the coronavirus pandemic and are planning to raise €400 million in capital through a share sale as they look to redress the financial balance.
Euro 2020 quarter finalists by squad value: England to beat Belgium in final
July 2 – If the Euros was to be decided by the average market value of players in each of the squad, the England are nailed on winners and Spain would be runners-up of they weren’t in the same side of the draw.
An analysis by the KPMG Football Benchmark team finds that the average value of an England player is €57.8 million. The least valuable players in the quarter finals are Ukrainian – who face England’s next – with an average value of just €6.6 million.
Gold Cup 2021 Team Profile Qatar
Qatar
How they qualified
The team was invited to participate for the first time. Qatar will also feature in the 2023 Gold Cup.
Tournament Record
None.
Star Man
Akram Afif
It still has to be Afif, even though he is never reached the heights of his 2019 Asian Cup winning performances. However, he still makes Qatar tick going forward and his link-up play with Almoez Ali is unmatched.
Gold Cup 2021 Team Profile El Salvador
El Salvador
How they qualified
The team sealed a finals spot as one of four group winners in the 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League B. They dominated Group B, seeing off the Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia, and Monserrat. On matchday two, El Salvador suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to the Dominican Republic, but they still topped the group on 15 points.
Asian 2022 qualifiers: Iran and South Korea favourites but danger lurks with UAE and Iraq
July 1 – Asia’s highest-ranked team Japan were paired with familiar foes Australia in Group B in today’s draw for the final round of World Cup qualifying. Iran and South Korea will meet in Group A.
Benitez and Espirito Santo tasked to reverse fortunes at Everton and Spurs
By Andrew Warshaw
July 1 – Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, two of the Premier League’s supposed heavyweight clubs who seriously under-performed last season, have both ended their search for a new manager to try and revive their respective fortunes.
Schalke sells its esports team for €26.5m
July 1 – German football club Schalke 04 has completed the sale of its esports team, League of Legends European Championship licence, to Swiss organisation Team BDS for €26.5 million.
Late to the party? Nordic culture ministers combine for anti-corruption message
July 1 – Denmark’s culture minister, Joy Mogensen,has criticised the bid process that allowed Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup, saying it was “wrong” and raised questions of corruption in international sports organisations.
Adidas takes Benfica partnership into a third decade with six-year renewal
July 1 – Adidas have renewed their kit deal with Portuguese giants Benfica for a further six years, taking them through to the end of the 2026/27 season.
eToro trades up with shirt sponsorship at Ligue 1’s AS Monaco
July 1 – Investment platform eToro has traded up at AS Monaco, moving from being a club partner to principal partner and taking the club’s main shirt sponsorship.
Standard Liege given go-ahead to expand Stade Maurice Dufrasne
July 1 – Belgian club Standard Liege have been given the green light by to expand their stadium capacity from 28.700 to 32.000.
RexSport launches new Masters in Sports Law with SSBM in Geneva
July 1 – RexSport has launched its latest International Master in Sports Law programme in partnership with the Swiss School of Business and Management (SSBM) in Geneva, Switzerland.
TikTok shirt deal gets a warm Hollywood welcome in Wrexham
June 30 – From Euro 2020 to Wrexham. TikTok has taken the shirt sponsorship of the Welsh side that plays in the fifth tier English National League but has become better known for attracting Hollywood A listers Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as owners.