Cleared of rape charges, Mendy returns to France and signs for Lorient
July 20 – Former France international Benjamin Mendy has signed a two-year deal with French club Lorient on Wednesday, only days after being cleared of rape allegations.
World Football
MLS vs Saudi Pro League? Garber says the point is expansion of the game beyond Europe
July 19 – Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber insists the rise of the cash-rich Saudi Pro League won’t threaten the MLS’s potential expansion into emerging viewing markets.
Welcome to the USA. Wrexham open tour against Chelsea, Man Utd to come
July 19 – Wrexham, the unheralded Welsh side owned by American Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and globally recognised after the documentary series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, have gained even more notoriety.
Van der Sar out of intensive care
July 19 – Former Netherlands goalkeeper and ex-Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar is now out of intensive care after suffering bleeding around the brain.
FA study links repetitive heading to brain impairment in later life
July 18 – Researchers have found evidence suggesting that repetitive heading of balls during a professional football career is associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment in later life.
Bidders line up to host UEFA club competition finals in 2026 and 2027
July 18 – UEFA has reported that nine national associations have declared interest in hosting UEFA club competition finals in 2026 and 2027.
Ukraine call on FIFA and UEFA to take action over Crimean teams in Russian league
July 18 – Ukraine’s FA have sent an official letter to FIFA and UEFA urging them to take action over two Crimean clubs being incorporated into the Russian domestic league.
UEFA aims to raise the bar with launch of Euro 2024 ESG strategy
July 18 – UEFA has published its ‘UEFA Euro 2024 environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy’ which it says aims to be a benchmark for sports event sustainability for German and European societies.
UEFA fines Barca and Man Utd in latest round of FFP sanctions
July 17 – Barcelona and Manchester United are among a group of clubs punished by UEFA in the latest round of Financial Fair Play sanctions.
Fans pour out to officially welcome Messi to Miami
July 17 – Messi mania erupted at the weekend when 20,000 fans braved a downpour at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale to see Lionel Messi officially presented as Inter Miami’s new superstar signing.
Mexico hit late winner against Panama to secure their 9th Gold Cup
By Paul Nicholson in Los Angeles
July 16 – Mexico won their ninth Gold Cup title in the magnificent SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in front of a full house 72,953 crowd, beating Panama 1-0.
Montagliani says Gold Cup 2023 has been a step forward on and off the pitch
By Paul Nicholson in Los Angeles
July 16 – Speaking ahead of the Gold Cup 2023 final in Los Angeles, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has praised the increased level of competitiveness of his member nations and said that World Cup 2026 qualification is going to be fierce.
Gold Cup final at SoFi Stadium sold out
July 16 – The 2023 Gold Cup Final, to be played between Mexico and Panama tonight has sold out, with more than 70,000 now converging on the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles.
Concacaf uses Gold Cup visit to run ‘Bigger Game’ programme in San Diego
July 15 – In San Diego, this past week Concacaf and Cal South partnered in spreading the message of Concacaf’s exciting new platform ‘Bigger Game’ and focusing on Sport 4 Development and harnessing the power of football for social change.
Juve discuss exit from Real Madrid and Barca’s Super League cabal
July 14 – Juventus have begun the process of pulling out of the doomed European Super League project.