TV rebates: Champions League broadcast rights in limbo in France
May 26 – The Champions League broadcast bubble took a pin prick at the end of last week when French telecoms giant Altice said it was demanding a rebate on its broadcast rights.
SIGA Strives 21: Integrity body puts focus on mental health
May 26 – SIGA has placed mental health on its Integrity Agenda during the Mental Health Awareness Week that is currently taking place around the globe, with this year’s theme focused on “acts of kindness”.
Toon talk: Ashley gets his cash, Saudis get a club, and PL get a new board member
By Andrew Warshaw
May 22 – Despite fierce opposition from rival clubs, human rights organisations as well as the fiancée of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the English Premier League is reported to have approved the proposed £300 million takeover of Newcastle United by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, PIF, fronted by controversial Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (pictured).
Haitian FA president Jean-Bart accused of fathering children from forced sex with players
May 22 – A second damning report in a space of a few weeks has been published by Britain’s Guardian newspaper into alleged appalling cases of sexual abuse by Haitian FA boss Yves Jean-Bart (pictured).
LFP skews French pyramid with vote to expand Ligue 2 rather than relegate bottom teams
May 22 – Next season, France’s Ligue 2 will be expanded from 20 to 22 club following a vote by the French Football League (LFP). The decision still requires approval from the French FA (FFF).
SIGA Strives 20: New edition of ‘4 Questions for 4 Leaders’ focuses on safeguarding
May 22 – The issues of safeguarding have been given a significantly upgraded status within the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) which, said the confederation’s Jasmine Ching, is taking big steps to tackle what is a “general lack of systemic awareness and education (at all levels) on child/youth safeguarding” across all Asian sport.
Sportsliner offers safe solution to club travel with unique content generating bolt-on
May 22 – Once Coronavirus lockdown ends and international borders re-open for sports teams, football will be faced with a whole new issue. Just because borders are open, doesn’t mean that you will be able to get past them.
Flamengo break quarantine and return to training in Rio
May 22 – Brazilian champions Flamengo have broken quarantine restrictions in Rio de Janeiro by resuming training without authorisation. City officials criticized the move.
Sunderland and Pompey still on return paths as EFL mandates promotion and relegation
May 22 – How to definitively end the season in the three divisions of the English professional game below the top flight remains in the balance after the English Football League (EFL) ruled promotion and relegation must take place in the Championship, League One and League Two, regardless of whether clubs vote, or have already voted, to curtail the campaign.
Is he or isn’t he? Sheffield Utd say Saudi Prince Abdullah is still in control
May 22 – English Premier League club Sheffield United say there has been no change to their Saudi ownership despite reports that Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (pictured) had given up control.
One competition UEFA will finish: eEURO 2020 finals kick-off Saturday
May 22 – UEFA will have some national team competitive action this weekend when 16 teams compete in the eEURO 2020 final tournament.
Man Utd lose £15m as Premier League rebates up to £300m to broadcast partners
By Paul Nicholson
May 21 – Manchester United’s third quarter financial release has revealed that the loss of broadcast revenue due to a broadcaster rebate following failure to complete fixtures is about £15 million, putting the overall Premier League rebate at about £300 million.
Qatar 2022: Al-Thawadi says boycott has not affected preparations, but Covid-19 is a worry
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – The head of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organising committee says the Saudi-led regional blockade of his country has been a “blessing in disguise” and has also vowed to ensure the tournament remains affordable to visitors despite the impact of Covid-19.
Montagliani puts focus on health first, but 2021 summer tournaments could see fans in stadia
May 21 – Concacaf President and FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani has said that the biggest challenge facing federations is not the financial costs being faced right now but the costs of ensuring compliance with health measures in the future. He also felt that it was unlikely to see a return of fans to international matches before the major tournaments in 2021.
Lauber loses Swiss vote after questioning over Infantino dealings
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – The fate of Michael Lauber, (pictured) Switzerland’s leading prosecutor, hangs perilously in the balance after lawmakers voted to launch impeachment proceedings against him amidst much-publicised concerns over his relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.