Ekstraklasa builds case for Polish esports league with Lagardère Sports
March 2 – Polish league Ekstraklasa has teamed up with Lagardère Sports Poland to explore the next steps for the league in establishing a stronger esports presence.
News
São Paulo swaps Under Armour for Adidas in improved kit deal
March 2 – The Brazilian club market for kit sponsorship deals is hotting up. Last week Santos forced Umbro into a renegotiation of a deal signed just four months ago. This week São Paulo announced they are ditching Under Armour for Adidas.
‘Members or clients’? Dortmund boss says fans will win on Monday night TV protest
March 1 – German football may consider ditching Monday night league games following a string of protests by fans who have voted with their feet and stayed away, according to Borussia Dortmund’s chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke (pictured).
FIFA keeps close control of Cameroon as elections and new statutes prepared
March 1 – A normalisation committee imposed in Cameroon by FIFA to try and bring an end to years of internal rifts has reportedly been extended for another six months.
IMG and Perfom create FC Diez Media to market CONMEBOL club rights
March 1 – IMG and Perform have named their South American joint marketing agency venture FC Diez Media. The new company will advise CONMEBOL on their commercial rights for club competitions from 2019-22.
Brazilian police arrest seven over Fonte Nova construction corruption
March 1 – Brazil’s Federal Police are claiming the price tag of Salvador’s Fonte Nova stadium, a 2014 World Cup venue, was inflated by as much as $130 million. Seven arrest warrants have been issued in connection to the investigation, including for the former governor of Bahia Jaques Wagner.
LA takes a step closer to securing a happy ending and inclusion in 2026 United bid
March 1 – Los Angeles’ hopes of being one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup should the US-led bid win the vote appears to be back on track.
Budweiser to fill England’s sponsorship pot after Carlsberg depart
March 1 – Budweiser will step in to fill the official beer partnership slot of the England Senior Men’s team after Carlsberg end their 22-year association after the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Feast and famine at Wembley. Crystal Palace top week’s attendance chart
March 1 – Last night’s FA Cup replay at Wembley’s 90,000 capacity stadium drew just 24,627 spectators for Tottenhams 6-1 thrashing of Rotherham in the snow. A far cry from the full house Wembley saw last Sunday for the Football League’s Carabao Cup final that saw Manchester City beat Arsenal 3-1.
Morocco close gap on United 2026 bid in battle for FIFA members hearts and votes
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – Morocco looks to be closing the gap on its United States-led rival in the race to land the 2026 World Cup with the outcome in June by no means as clearcut as a few weeks ago, according to an ESPN report.
Real Madrid launch VR channel on The Dream VR app platform
February 28 – Spanish giant Real Madrid has launched its own 360° and virtual reality channel in The Dream VR app that has more than 2 million downloads in over 180 countries.
NASL cancels 2018 season but continues with law suits against USSF
February 28 – The North American Soccer League (NASL) has cancelled its 2018 season with three of its six clubs shifting to the National Premier Soccer League which kicks off this April.
English edge towards staggered Winter Break, but with FA Cup set to be compromised
February 28 – The prospect of a winter break in top-flight English football, which has been discussed and debated for years with public opinion split, appears to be edging closer.
Barcelona are first club to enter eSports team in Konami’s PES league
February 28 – The new eSports league being launched by video game maker Konami and Spanish-based eFootball.Pro have signed Barcelona as their first professional team to the league which will be played on the Pro-Evolution Soccer (PES) game.
Inter expand international academy network with Beirut launch
February 28 – Internazionale have opened their eighth academy outside of Italy, the latest being in Beirut, Lebanon. Inter is working in partnership with Water Resources LTD Company and Sportomondo on the project in Lebanon.