England trials banning of ‘deliberate’ heading at U12 level
July 19 – England is to become the first country in Europe to trial the banning of young children from heading the ball over fears about the link with neurological disease.
World Football
South Africa and Morocco reach final of Women’s AFCON, Nigeria lose on penalties
July 19 – Africa will crown a new champion after Morocco and South Africa reached the final of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Platini draws line under return to FIFA, UEFA or French football politics
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – Michel Platini will not attempt to take on Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency after making up his mind to abandon his original dream of running world football.
Gareca quits Peru after failure to agree salary terms
July 18 – Peru and Ricardo Gareca have parted ways a month after the Argentinean coach failed to guide the country to a second consecutive World Cup.
Women’s Euros beats all-time attendance record with 15 games to go
July 15 – The women’s Euros has smashed the record for the total attendance for the event – despite still being in the group stage and with only half the tournament played.
Nigeria make it 9 Women’s World Cups, Morocco, Zambia and SA to join them
July 15 – Morocco, Zambia, South Africa and Nigeria will represent Africa at the 2023 World Cup, with the losing quarter-finalists at the Africa Cup of Nations condemned to the playoff route.
Motsepe encourages Uganda/Tanzania joint bid for 2027 AFCON
July 15 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has said he is in favour of the CECAFA region hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Super Cup tickets set to go on sale with delivery via UEFA Mobile Tickets app
July 15 – Tickets for the 2022 UEFA Super Cup, August 10, will go on sale to the general public next Tuesday July 19, with UEFA saying that tickets will be delivered to buyers via its app only.
Liverpool fans not to blame for UCL final mayhem, finds French senate report
July 14 – After weeks of inquiries and blame-shifting, Liverpool fans have all but been absolved from blame for the chaos at the Champions League final in Paris last May, following the findings of a French senate report which pointed at a failure of the state and organisers.
Playing for money. Canadian men and women demand probe into federation deal-making
July 14 – The Canadian women’s team, currently preparing for their semi-final clash with Jamaica tonight in the Concacaf W Championship, have issued a joint statement with the Canadian men’s team calling for Sport Canada to investigate commercial partnerships agreed by their national federation.
EU countries turn firepower on Super League rebel clubs at CJEU hearing
July 13 – European nations have joined forces to get behind UEFA in their legal fight to stave off the threat of a rebirth of a breakaway Super League.
Brazil women dominate Copa America but Sundhage expects more
July 13 – Brazil coach Pia Sundhage has called on her team to improve at the Copa America despite a 100% record after two matches.
Rooney dismissive of critics over ‘disrespectful’ criticism of his return to MLS
July 13 – Former England captain Wayne Rooney has hit out at suggestions that going back to Major League Soccer isa backward step.
AFCON women get to last 8 with 2023 World Cup berths on the line
July 13 – Zambia and Senegal kick off the last eight of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tonight, with the continent’s top two teams, Cameroon and Nigeria, also meeting in a quarter-final match that will ultimately relegate one powerhouse to the playoff route for the 2023 World Cup.
League1 Canada launches women’s championship as next step towards pro league
July 12 – Canadian Soccer Business, the body that holds all the rights for Canada Soccer’s national teams and the Canadian Premier League, has announced a Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship that is seen as the first steps along the way to creating a professional women’s league in Canada.