Real Oviedo opt -in to LaLiga’s new money deal; Barca, Real and Bilbao isolated
September 1 – Spanish second division club Real Oviedo have belatedly opted in favour of La Liga’s €2.1 billion agreement with private equity firm CVC.
World Football
Icelandic FA board resigns over sexual assault cover-up
September 1 – Icelandic football has been brought to its knees by a sex abuse scandal that has resulted in the national federation’s entire board resigning en masse.
Ireland brings in equal pay and bonuses for men’s and women’s teams
September 1 – Ireland’s Football Association (FAI) has introduced equal pay for the men’s and women’s senior national teams who will receive the same match fees and bonuses on international duty.
CAF adds Integral to TV rights partners with Nigerian deal
September 1 – The African confederation is gradually filling in its broadcast blanks with new partners. The latest being with sports marketing agency Integral in Nigeria.
Huygens stays on as interim president of Belgian FA until summer 2022
August 31 – Robert Huygens will stay on president of the Belgian FA (KBVB) until June 2022. His mandate has been extended after he first succeeded Mehdi Bayat on an interim basis in May.
Forget Super League, Champions League has the big names, big games and real competition
By Samindra Kunti
August 27 – Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona vs Bayern Munich, Inter Milan vs Real Madrid, Chelsea vs Juventus. The Champions League draw paired some of the continent’s biggest clubs in the first group round of the competition, reminding rebel clubs from the Super League that regular European competition is demanding enough.
French league adds critical voice to concern over FIFA player release demands
August 27 – The French league has become the latest major European body to voice concern over FIFA’s World Cup qualifying plans in September. The Professional Football League (LFP) however has not expressly backed clubs who refuse to release players for the international window.
Jorginho and Tuchel make it a Chelsea double, Barca sweep up UEFA’s women’s awards
August 27 – Chelsea and Italy’s Jorginho has been voted UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2020/21, while Barcelona and Spain’s Alexia Putellas was named Women’s Player of the Year.
Concacaf W ‘armors’ its #WeBelong campaign
August 27 – Last week Concacaf launched the revamped competitions and schedules for its women’s championships under the W Concacaf banner. Included in the initiative was a #WeBelong social campaign.
Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps make history and €3m+
August 27 – The tiny principality of Gibraltar has made history by getting to the group stage of a European competition for the first time after semi-professional club Lincoln Red Imps reached the third-tier Europa Conference League.
Spurs keep Kane, for now, as Man City keep their hands in their pockets
August 26 – England captain Harry Kane has decided to remain at Tottenham Hotspur, ending months of speculation over his future amidst persistent rumours of a big-money move to Manchester City.
Guardiola sets limit on his remaining time at Man City
August 26 – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has indicated that he will leave the Premier League champions in 2023 when his contract expires, and wants to venture into international football in the future.
CBF prepares Caboclo’s exit with Ednaldo Rodrigues lined up as interim
August 26 – Suspended Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) president Rogerio Caboclo is being ushered towards the exit door, with the state federations firmly putting their weight behind Ednaldo Rodrigues to take over the leadership the organisation as interim president.
No money Real Madrid make €160m offer for PSG’s Mbappe
August 25 – Real Madrid launched a €160 million offer for the services of Kylian Mbappe, but it has been quickly rejected by Paris Saint-Germain.
Globo says it is still committed to buying club TV rights, however they are packaged
August 25 – In an open letter, Brazilian broadcaster Globo has committed to the future of the game, reassuring the country’s professional clubs in the Serie A and Serie B that it supports “clubs’ collective bargaining for their broadcasting rights” despite impending legal changes.