Premier League land on Guardian’s Pemsel for CEO role
October 3 – The English Premier League have finally found a new chief executive following a nine-month search, with newspaper chief David Pemsel taking over from Richard Scudamore.
Spanish VAR gets nasty as Mediapro denies ‘manipulation’ and ‘criminal mindset’
By Paul Nicholson
October 2 – A row over the use of VAR in Spain has prompted LaLiga’s TV production partner Mediapro to issue a strongly worded rebuttal of accusations from the Spanish federation (RFEF) that Mediapro was manipulating public opinion with its broadcast coverage.
Big new stadium, bigger money, feted manager, UCL final…what happened to Spurs?
By Andrew Warshaw
October 2 – Exactly four months since the euphoria of reaching the Champions League final, the fortunes of Tottenham Hotspur have taken a second straight turn for the worse with words like “crisis” and “humiliation” splashed across the English media amid growing speculation over whether manager Mauricio Pochettino has taken the London side as far as he can.
Arsenal’s Pépé and Chelsea’s Abraham top ranking of players increasing in value
October 2 – PSG’s duo of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are still the most valuable players in the world at €225 million and €196 million, but the record breaking summer transfer window has thrown some new names into the pot with Arsenal’s new winger Nicolas Pépé topping a ranking of players who have increased their market value.
FIFA gives life ban to former Concacaf boss Sanz
October 2 – Just like his infamous predecessor Chuck Blazer, Enrique Sanz, former general secretary Concacaf, has been banned for life for his involvement in the FifaGate scandal.
Former Valencia president Soler jailed for plot to kidnap and rob his former VP
October 2 – The former president of Valencia Juan Soler (pictured) has been jailed for two years for conspiring to kidnap his one-time vice-president and break into his home.
Ajax double revenue to €199m on back of Champions League run
October 2 – Dutch club Ajax often have the ‘giants’ epithet attached to them because of their deeds on the pitch. Now they are getting closer to justifying that term financially having reported a 2018/19 financial year that more than doubled turnover to €199.5 million.
Match to deliver Euro2020 hospitality sales for UEFA
October 2 – UEFA and MATCH Hospitality have teamed up for the exclusive sales of Euro 2020 hospitality tickets and packages. The agreement covers Spain, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Mexico, Peru and Colombia.
Sierra Leone’s Bangura considering international future after fans vandalise his home
October 2 – Sierra Leone captain Umaru Bangura says he is considering his international future after angry supporters vandalised his house in retaliation for him missing a decisive stoppage-time penalty in a World Cup qualifier against Liberia last month.
Nice call time on Diaby-Fadiga after dressing room watch theft
October 2 – French top-flight club Nice have sacked their teenage striker Lamine Diaby-Fadiga (pictured) after he admitted stealing a watch apparently worth €70,000 from team-mate Kasper Dolberg in the dressing room last month.
CAF releases Esperance’s $2.5m prize money for Champions League win
October 1 – African Champions League winners Esperance have today received their $2.5 million prize money from the Confederation of African Football.
Possession usually means prizes, unless you are Spurs or come from Manchester
October 1 – ‘Possession is nine-tenths of the law’ is perhaps a phrase that can be applied to football. If you have the majority of the ball the stats indicate that you are likely to win.
Leagues and players’ union plot path through foggy concussion protocols
October 1 – Europe’s football leagues have joined forces with the international players’ union body FIFPro to try and improve the way concussion cases are managed, potentially including independent doctors being on site.
FIFA orders Cardiff to pay Nantes €6m as first instalment for Sala
October 1 – Cardiff City have been ordered by FIFA to pay the first instalment of €6 million to Nantes for £15 million striker Emiliano Sala who died in January when the light aircraft carrying him to Cardiff two days after he signed crashed into the sea before he could play a single game.
Bundesliga lands ESPN broadcast deal for US
October 1 – Germany’s Bundesliga, which has been targeting commercial expansion in the US market, has secured a six-year broadcast deal with subscription streaming service ESPN+.