Pan-Asian broadcast shake-up as Fox Sports announces closure
April 30 – The Walt Disney Company will shut down Fox Sports Asia this year, bringing to an end the existence of one of the continent’s longest-standing sports broadcasters.
Gold Cup 2025
Mexico open Gold Cup defence against aspiring Dominican Republic
June 13 – Mexico approach the 2025 Gold Cup with typical confidence, having secured early silverware through March’s Concacaf Nations League triumph – a psychological boost that sets them up beautifully for the right to be called Kings of the Region.
Chinese FA calls in Mediapro for global OTT platform and to boost CSL rights sales
April 30 – The Chinese Football Association has signed a wide ranging deal with Spain-based Mediapro Group to commercialise its top three leagues for the next three seasons – 2021 to 2023.
SIGA launches Women on Wednesday’s webinar series May 5
April 30 – Global integrity body SIGA launches the first of its ‘Women on Wednesday’s’ (WoW) webinars next week (May 5). The webinars will take place on the first Wednesday of every month and feature leading women’s sports executives.
German star Metzelder given suspended jail sentence for child porn offences
April 30 – Former Germany and Dortmund star Christoph Metzelder (pictured) has been sentenced to a suspended 10-month prison term after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
UEFA draws groups for 2023 Women’s World Cup qualifiers
April 30 – A record number of 51 nations were in the the European qualifying draw for the 2023 Women’s World Cup held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon today.
Myanmar state of emergency and covid spike forces changes to AFC club draws
April 30 – Political unrest in the country has forced the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) to pull out its two clubs – Hantharwady United FC and Shan United FC – from the 2021 AFC Cup and AFC Champions League, respectively.
Players’ union boss says Champions League reform creates too many extra games
April 29 – Having managed to fight off threats of a European Super League, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin now faces having to convince the rest of football’s stakeholders that his Champions League reforms are the best way forward.
UEFA commits to €24m for Women’s Champions League teams
April 29 – Outlining a new financial model for the Women’s Champions League, UEFA will pour €24 million into the competition for redistribution to teams, the continental governing body announced on Wednesday.
Advantage Man City and Chelsea as Istanbul Champions League final comes into view
April 28 – Will Istanbul play host to an-all English Champions League final at the end of May? On Wednesday, Manchester City inched closer to elusive glory after exploiting Paris Saint-Germain’s defensive lapses in a high-octane semi-final of the competition. In the other last four game, Chelsea held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
Hisense returns to World Cup action with Qatar 2022 deal
April 29 – Chinese consumer electronics company Hisense is returning as a World Cup sponsor for the Qatar 2022 edition, having debuted with FIFA in Russia in 2017 and 2018.
Liverpool bank borrowings increase in lossmaking 2019-20 financial year
By David Owen
April 28 – The value of long-term bank loans on Liverpool’s balance-sheet almost quadrupled in size in 2019-20 to stand at just under £197 million on May 31. But year-end cash was up by a similar proportion at £149.3 million.
DFB chief Keller under pressure after Nazi reference
April 29 – Just when you thought the administration of German football had cleaned up its act after a series of scandals in recent years, it is back in the news for all the wrong reasons with the president of the DFB Fritz Keller publicly apologising for making a Nazi reference.
Ek re-confirms Arsenal interest but Kroenkes still singing off different hymn sheet
April 29 – Swedish billionaire and Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek has reasserted his commitment to takeover Arsenal from the Kroenke family, declaring he has the funds in place for a bid and wants to bring the club “back to its glory”.
Schmeichel, Messi and de Gea top club loyalty ranking
April 29 – Two goalkeepers are in the top three of a ranking of Big 5 league players who have played the most domestic matches for their club in the past 10 years. Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel (372 games) and Manchester United’s David de Gea (337), sandwich Barcelona’s hardy perennial Lionel Messi (340).
Tongue-twister? Agnelli drives into new storm over Suarez language test
April 29 – Fresh from seeing his European Super League dreams crushed by fan power and political intervention, Andrea Agnelli, the under-pressure president of Juventus, is already back in the spotlight – this time apparently telling an Italian prosecutor that he was not responsible for rigging an Italian language exam taken by Luis Suárez last year.