Football has been blitzed by Covid-19, says Ceferin, but solidarity and safety will triumph
July 21 – UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin says Covid-19 has had a worse effect on football than during the Second World War.
FIFAGate: Napout applies for Paraguayan transfer after contracting Covid-19 in Miami jail
July 21 – In the same month that disgraced former Conmebol president Juan Angel Napout petitioned court in the US to obtain an early release from prison because of the coronavirus pandemic, he has himself contracted the disease.
French threaten to close stadia again after PSG Ultras break social distancing rules
July 21 – The French government has threatened to re-impose a ban on fans after Paris St Germain supporters failed to observe Covid-19 social distancing rules in last Friday’s friendly against Waasland-Beveren.
Obituary: Coronavirus takes Bolivian FA president Cesar Salinas, aged 58
July 21 – Cesar Salinas, the president of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), passed away on Sunday, aged 58, after contracting the coronavirus.
Not enough balls are being kicked: France Football cancels Ballon d’Or
July 21 – The prestigious Ballon d’Or award is the latest event to be hit by the Covid-19 pandemic with this year’s ceremony cancelled, organisers France Football announced on Monday.
British parliament puts pressure on Premier League to block Newcastle United’s Saudi sale
July 20 – A group of cross-party British parliamentarians have launched an 11th hour bid to stop the £300 million takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi-led consortium.
England target October 1 for partial opening of stadia
July 20 – Football fans, along with spectators of other sports, could be allowed back into stadiums in England on October 1 provided a series of test events are successful in the coming weeks.
Positive tests force Paraguay to delay restart of top league
July 20 – The long-awaited return of football in Paraguay has been set back after players from three different club tested positive for the coronavirus.
Bridgepoint pitches for a piece of Women’s Super League
July 20 – The Women’s Super League (WSL) in England, which unlike its top tier male counterparts, was not given the opportunity to complete its season when the coronavirus struck, could be find new funding support in the shape of private equity money.
Mauritius club fined for not doing the TMS paperwork
July 20 – FIFA has sanctioned a club in Mauritius for failing to use its Transfer Matching System (TMS).
Leeds United return to Premier League after 16-year gap
July 20 – It’s taken them 16 years but one of England’s most iconic clubs, Leeds United, are back in the big time after winning promotion from the second-tier Championship, sparking huge celebrations among their legions of fans across the city.
Relegation-threatened Watford sack 3rd manager with two games left
July 20 – Not one, not two, not three – but four. That’s how many managers English Premier League Watford have had this season after they dispensed with services of Nigel Pearson on Sunday.
Mauritius comes to Liverpool as official partner
July 20 – Premier League champions Liverpool have launched a new global partnership with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and Economic Development Board Mauritius, who become club’s Official Tourism and Economic Development Partner.
MLS postpones debuts of Charlotte, St Louis and Sacramento franchises
July 20 – The MLS has announced more casualties of the coronavirus, announcing it is postponing the inaugural seasons of three expansion clubs. Charlotte’s debut will move from 2021 to 2022 while St. Louis and Sacramento, will now begin play in 2023, instead of 2022.
Football’s Deep State: Are match-fixers infiltrating the governing bodies and their suppliers?
By Paul Nicholson
July 17 – In 2018 when Insideworldfootball and Rex Sport hosted their Tackling Match-fixing conference in London a number of panellists made the point that betting related match manipulation was the playground of major organised crime gangs.