US men’s team back women in pay dispute
August 2 – The US men’s national team are once again backing their female counterparts in their dispute with the US Soccer Federation over equal pay.
World Football
Belarus told to play 2022 qualifiers in Russia
August 1 – Belarus have been ordered to play their home World Cup qualifying matches against both Belgium and Wales on neutral territory in Russia because of travel sanctions against the country.
Coronavirus: Rio lifts fan ban to 50% capacity for fully vaccinated
July 30 – Rio de Janeiro local authorities will allow fully vaccinated fans to attend live matches in September with stadium capacity limited to 50%.
Davor Suker loses election as Kustic takes over as Croatia FA boss
July 30 – After nine years, Davor Sukor (pictured) has been removed as president of the Croatian FA, throwing into doubt his membership of UEFA’s executive committee.
England issues new guideline to limit ‘high force’ headers in training
July 29 – In a radical move, English football authorities are to limit the number of “high-force headers” among professional and amateur players to 10 per week in training as part of new guidelines.
Hillsborough disaster claims 97th victim
July 29 – Thirty-two years on, the Hillsborough disaster has claimed its 97th victim after a man left with life-changing injuries died at the age of 55.
Chievo Verona out of Serie B as Italians crack down on financial rules
July 28 – Italy’s Chievo Verona have been kicked out of Serie B for the 2021-22 season, effectively declaring them bankrupt, and their place will be taken by Cosenza, according to Italian news media.
Police drop Rooney blackmail complaint over hotel pictures
July 28 – A complaint of blackmail in relation to photographs of former England captain Wayne Rooney has been dropped by police.
Barca and Neymar settle contract disputes out of court
July 27 – Barcelona have finally reached an out-of-court agreement with their former player Neymar to end a long-running legal dispute in “amicable fashion”.
Caboclo warns Del Nero he could end up behind bars
July 27 – In an ongoing public war of words Rogerio Caboclo has said his predecessor Marco Polo Del Nero could end up in prison. Caboclo (pictured), the current CBF president, is suspended over allegations of sexual harassment.
Lopez concludes acquisition of Girondins de Bordeaux
July 26 – Gerard Lopez has been confirmed as the new owner of Girondins de Bordeaux, saving the Ligue 1 club from bankruptcy.
Brazilian sports court rejects Caboclo appeal to allow him to return to run CBF
July 24 – Rogerio Caboclo will not return from suspension to resume the presidency of the Confederation of Brazilian Sport (CBF), a Brazilian sports court has ruled. The football official has been side lined for 60 days because of sexual harassment allegations.
Crouch report call for independent regulator of English game and a fan ‘golden share’
July 23 – English football needs an independent regulator and a “golden share” for fans to protect the game, former sports minister Tracey Crouch has recommended, following a fan-led review into governance issues in the sport.
Italy rules out return of Eriksen as long as he has a defibrillator implant
July 23 – Christian Eriksen will not be allowed to play in Italian football with a defibrillator, a leading scientific expert for the Italian FA has said.
Club vs country: Flamengo challenge release windows as key players missing for long periods
July 22 – Brazilian giant Flamengo no longer wants to release players for the national team during international windows when those fixtures clash with the domestic calendar and the Rio de Janeiro club is going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to make its case.