Houllier says it’s Liverpool’s title, just give it to them
May 4 – Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier believes his old club should be awarded the Premier League title even if the season is not completed because of the Covid-19 crisis.
Gold Cup 2025
Panama-Honduras in Glendale and Canada-Guatemala in Minnesota complete Gold Cup quarter final line-up
June 25 – The Gold Cup quarter-final line-up was completed yesterday with Panama vs Honduras being scheduled for the State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Saturday June 28.
Ayr United go virtual with body-painted models for lockdown kit launch
May 5 – Scottish Championship club Ayr United, who in previous years have hit the headlines with body-painted models showcasing their new season kit launch, have not been put off by the restrictions of lockdown.
Money laundering Israeli Bank Hapoalim pays $30m to US Justice Dept in FIFAgate deal
By Andrew Warshaw
May 1 – In a new and unexpected twist to the FIFAgate scandal that the current regime of Gianni Infantino is determined to move on from, Israel’s largest bank, Hapoalim, has been dramatically dragged into the long-running saga by agreeing to pay $30 million for its previously unknown role in money laundering.
Bolsanaro wants Brazilian teams back on the pitch now. CBF and clubs draw up plans
May 1 – Brazil may be in meltdown following the haphazard policies and incendiary rants of its president Jair Bolsonaro in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but the CBF and the country’s clubs are seeking a structured way out of the health crisis by drawing up plans for a resumption of training.
Sponsors hammered by pandemic, but long-term business will hold strong, finds ESA survey
May 1 – With clubs and leagues scrambling to keep sponsors engaged, new research from the European Sponsorship Association (ESA) finds that while sponsors are changing their approaches during lockdown, there is confidence in the long-term health of the sponsorship industry despite short term uncertainty and a root and branch disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Haitian FA boss Jean-Bart accused of sexual abuse
May 1 – The man who has run football in Haiti for the best part of two decades has been accused of sexual abuse in a damning report in Britain’s Guardian newspaper.
Belgian FA expands top tier women’s league to 10 clubs
May 1 – The Coronavirus has thrown the immediate future of the global game into disarray, but it hasn’t stopped the Belgian FA (KBVB) from expanding the domestic women’s league to ten clubs, a move designed to develop the women’s game after years of chronic neglect.
German chancellor Merkel holds back a week on giving Bundesliga restart date
May 1 – Germany, ahead of the game in Europe in dealing with the spread of Covid-19, has suffered a setback in its bid to start playing matches again after the government delayed any decision over a league resumption.
PSG handed French title and Marseille CL spot, but unhappy Lyon left hanging
May 1 – Paris St. Germain have been awarded the Ligue 1 title two days after the government ruled that the French season could not resume because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Liverpool mayor misses a beat on Merseyside with club and fans over restart
May 1 – A warning by the mayor of Liverpool that resuming the Premier League, even behind closed doors, would be a “non-starter” because fans would still turn up has prompted an immediate response by the club who are desperate to be crowned champions for the first time in the Premier League era.
LAFC harvests Farmer John deal and kicks off with Instagram broadcast
May 1 – The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) has unveiled a multi-year partnership with Farmer John, making the specialty meat brand the ‘Official Packaged Meat Partner of LAFC’ beginning with the 2020 season.
FIFA say no, UEFA says yes. Health debate focussed on whether safety can be guaranteed
By Andrew Warshaw
April 30 – When the medical experts of football’s two largest bodies disagree over the immediate future of the game because of Covid-19, you know there is no easy solution.
Concacaf unveils members of Caribbean Pro League working group
By Paul Nicholson
April 30 – Government bigwigs and sports administration supremos from the Caribbean will be at the heart of the Concacaf Working Group that has been charged with coming up with a format and structure for a Caribbean Pro League.
African challengers line up to challenge Ahmad’s CAF supremacy
April 30 – Speculation is mounting that under-fire African football supremo Ahmad Ahmad (pictured) may be facing several challenges to his rule.
Euro leagues chief Olsson dismisses FIFA medical boss as having ‘no idea’
April 30 – The head of the European Leagues umbrella body has hit back at FIFA’s medical chief for suggesting the season should be cancelled because of Covid-19.