Ecuador break Brazilian grip on Copa Libertadores, Flamengo next
August 20 – Ecuador’s Barcelona eliminated Fluminense 3-3 on aggregate to prevent an all-Brazilian affair in the last four of the Copa Libertadores.
World Football
UEFA plans €6bn club relief fund and vigorous revamp of FFP
By Samindra Kunti
August 19 – UEFA is planning a €6 billion relief fund to help leading European clubs survive the global health crisis that has ravaged the football industry.
Fluminense set to make it all-Brazil semi-final line-up as country dominates Copa Libertadores
By Samindra Kunti
August 19 – Brazilian clubs have become the playground bullies and are bossing the Copa Libertadores. On Wednesday, both Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro stormed past their opponents to join Palmeiras in the last four. Fluminense will try to complete the Brazilian quartet against Ecuador’s Barcelona after a 2-2 draw in their quarterfinal first leg.
Flamengo former president Bandeira to appeal suspension after criticism of fire deaths
August 19 – Flamengo have sidelined Eduardo Bandeira de Mello with a membership suspension of 90 days, preventing the former club chairman from voting or participating in the presidential elections later this year.
US streamer Roku supports Brazilian push with São Paulo FC deal
August 19 – US streaming giant Rokuhas taken a one-year sponsorship with Brazil’s São Paulo Futebol Clube, its first step into football club sports marketing in the country.
CAF draw AFCON 2021 final groups, Motsepe chips in with promise of more prize money
By Samindra Kunti
August 18 – Hosts Cameroon will kick off the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso next year with Egypt – Nigeria and Algeria – Ivory Coast among the pick of the group stage matches following the finals draw in Yaounde.
Irritated Ronaldo says stop the ‘disrespect’, he is staying at Juve
August 18 – Cristiano Ronaldo insists he is going nowhere despite reports linking him with a move away from Juventus.
UEFA reviews plan to award two Champions League slots on historical achievement
August 18 – UEFA are reportedly considering ditching the controversial plan to award two Champions League places based on historical success following criticism from leagues across the continent.
CAF looks to public service TV in Africa to deliver on AFCON 2021 in challenged rights market
By Paul Nicholson
August 17 – After promises of new television deals across the African continent following the disastrous fallout from the Lagardere representation agreement that saw a $1 billion commercial guarantee replaced by blank TV screens and rapidly retreating sponsors, CAF has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations 2022 will be broadcast by the members of the African Union of Broadcasters (AUB).
Man Utd and UK sports guru Maurice Watkins has died, aged 79
August 17 – Maurice Watkins, the man credited with bringing Sir Alex Ferguson to the club in 1986, and a legend in sports law and British sports administration, has died aged 79.
Mauritian FA toilet-cam scandal under investigation
August 17 – The Mauritius FA has been plunged into an unusual scandal following an investigation involving alleged secret mobile phone video recordings of a women’s toilet at the federation’s headquarters.
Vancouver Whitecaps youth trio subject of racial assault, one hospitalised
August 17 – Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps say three of its academy players were assaulted at an outdoor gathering and that the attack is believed to be racially motivated.
Norwegian players caught partying on stadium security cameras
August 17 – Players of SK Brann held a raunchy late-night party at their stadium, but were caught on security cameras, leaving the club red faced.
WLF will back clubs and players who refuse to participate in Conmebol’s 2022 qualifiers
By Paul Nicholson
August 16 – The World Leagues Forum (WLF) has slammed FIFA’s decision to amend the international match calendar without consultation and which has seen the rescheduling of South America’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers that had originally been due to be played in March 2021 to extended triple match windows in September and March.
ECA re-admits repentant nine of the ESL’s Dirty Dozen back into its membership
By Paul Nicholson
August 16 – The European Club Association (ECA), has agreed that nine of the 12 European Super League (ESL) breakaway clubs can remain as members following their requests to withdraw their resignations from the club body.