Qatar 2022 to release World Cup emblem
September 2 – Qatar will release the emblem for the 2022 World Cup at 8.22pm local time in Doha through an international digital campaign as the next World Cup host nation steps up its preparations.
Exclusive: Esperance chief Meddeb opens up on CAF, Champions League and integrity
August 30 – In his 12 years as President of current African club champions, Esperance Sportive Tunis, 67-year-old Mohamed ‘Hamdi’ Meddeb, one of Tunisia’s leading businessmen, has never granted an interview to an international journalist. He speaks to Insideworldfootball’s Osasu Obayiuwana.
Rangers fans keep up their sectarian abuse, UEFA keep sanctioning them
August 30 – Glasgow Rangers appear to have still not learned their lesson when it comes to sectarian abuse after being found guilty of a second charge by UEFA.
Champions League draw: Barca, Dortmund and Inter set for battle of the giants
August 30 -Whilst there wasn’t quite a Group of Death in terms of four equally dangerous teams when the draw was made for this season’s Champions League, Group F came as close as it comes with Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and a new-look Inter Milan, boosted by the arrival of new manager Antonio Conte, looking particularly mouth-watering.
Roma embrace AWCBET; but PSV Eindhoven canvas fans on proposed betting sponsor
August 30 – Love them or hate them? Bookmakers – online Asian firms in particular – have ploughed sponsorship money into Europe’s football clubs with AS Roma being the latest to announce a deal. But not everyone is so comfortable taking their money with PSV Eindhoven going to their fans for their opinion on a potential deal.
Lightning strikes twice: Boca Juniors and River Plate to renew Copa Libertadores battle
August 30 – In a rematch of last year’s tumultuous Copa Libertadores final Boca Juniors will play Buenos Aires rivals River Plate in the last four of the competition after eliminating Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno. In the other semi-final, Flamengo will meet Gremio in an all-Brazilian affair.
Money talks, b******t walks? EFL refuse to revisit Bury expulsion after money shows up
August 30 – Within days of Bury becoming the first English professional team to go out of business for 27 years, the English Football League have been accused of acting too hastily after an investment company reportedly came up with £7 million proof of funds to take over the League One (third-tier) club.
MLS Cup moves further up the dial with network return on ABC
August 30 – The MLS Cup final will return to a national American network in 2019 with ABC airing the November 10 showpiece match in the US domestic calendar.
Liverpool’s van Dijk breaks the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly
August 30 – Liverpool’s Dutch Champions League-winning defender Virgil van Dijk has been named UEFA’s Men’s Player of the Year, edging out regular award-winning duo Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the prestigious prize.
Man City stays Premier Cool with renewed Nigerian deal
August 30 – Premier League champion Manchester City have extended their Nigerian partnership with PZ Cussons’ soap brand, Premier Cool.
FIFA power player Leoz, indicted in US, dies in Paraguay, aged 90
By Andrew Warshaw
August 29 – Nicolás Leoz, the one-time Paraguayan powerbroker alleged to have been one of the masterminds of the corruption scandal that brought FIFA to its knees but who managed to escape the clutches of US prosecutors, has died at the age of 90.
Champions League draw: Ajax back for more as Europe’s elite line-up for €1.95bn share out
August 29 – Ahead of today’s draw Ajax Amsterdam, Club Brugge and Slavia Prague have completed the 32-team playing field of the Champions League, a competition whose future format will decide the direction of European football.
English fan groups hit UEFA with list of ticket and venue demands
August 29 – Supporters groups of four English Premier League clubs have jointly submitted a list of demands to UEFA covering ticket allocation and venue choice following complaints surrounding last season’s Champions League and Europa League finals.
Indonesia forge ahead with bid to host U-20 World Cup
August 29 – Myanmar and Thailand have pulled out of a joint bid to stage the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2021, leaving Indonesia to take on the joint bid from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to try and bring the tournament to Asia.
Homophobic abuse forces ref to remove players in Nice-Marseilles derby
August 29 – The top-flight derby between Nice and Marseille was suspended for 10 minutes on Wednesday following yet another instance of homophobic abuse in French football.