Platini to return to football with FIFPro board role
June 17 – Former UEFA head Michel Platini will return to football administration, confirming that he will become the French representative on the board of world players’ union FIFPro.
World Football
ECA chief promises new era of trust and transparency after night of the long knives
June 17 – The European Club Association (ECA) held its first in-person Executive Board meeting since February 2020 earlier this week in Munich.
Somalia fire ‘incompetent’ and ‘undisciplined’ coach after just three weeks
June 17 – With football in Somalia returning rapidly after years of violent conflict in the country, and the federation only recently having been given control back of its national Stadium Mogadishu after the departure, it seems that not all is easy going in the new reality.
Brazil’s top clubs unite for breakaway plan from CBF
By Samindra Kunti
June 16 – Is revolution coming belatedly to Brazilian club football? Local top flight clubs want to establish a league governing body to run the Serie A and gain more of an influence in how the Brazilian game is administered. Currently the league is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
Canada keep developing, Panama and El Salvador join them in Concacaf final 8
June 26 – Canada’s journey back towards Concacaf competitiveness continued with 3-0 home win over Haiti (4-0 on aggregate), taking them to the final round of World Cup Qualifying for the first time since France 98.
£838m mistake? Forget the ESL, report finds real cash value lies in Big 6 club fan bases
June 16 – A new survey released this week suggests that the Big 6 clubs who pursued new European Super League (ESL) riches should be looking closer to home for a significant and less stressful push for more money.
Bilbao set for €1.3m compensation for loss of Euro 2020 hosting; but no handout for Dublin
June 15 – UEFA looks poised to agree €1.3 million in compensation to Bilbao for the late removal of Euro 2020 hosting from the Basque city’s San Mamés stadium to Seville. The decision was taken once it became clear Bilbao would not allow spectators at matches.
Conmebol pays special tribute to life of Maradonna
June 15 – Diego Maradona’s life was honoured by Conmebol in a special tribute ahead of Argentina’s Copa America opener against Chile that finished 1-1.
UEFA takes first steps towards blockchain and crypto with AntChain deal
June 15 – UEFA has agreed a five year global partnership for blockchain technology with AntChain, the blockchain subsidiary of Ant Group which also owns AliPay, who are already three years into an eight year sponsorship with UEFA.
Concacaf 2022 qualifying: Canada, Panama and El Salvador have edge
June 14 – The knockout play off series to decide the final three slots in the eight team Concacaf final round of 2022 World Cup qualifying began at the weekend with opening advantages being gained by Canada, Panama and El Salvador.
Venezuela lose 13 players to positive covid tests before Brazil Copa America opener
June 14 – Brazil defeated a depleted Venezuela 3-0 in the curtain raiser of the Copa America, a tournament that was shifted away from both Colombia and Argentina at the eleventh hour but has still been badly hit by the coronavirus.
FIFPro chief Baer-Hoffman calls on players to confront game’s bosses on calendar crunch
June 14 – The general secretary of FIFPro, the world players’ union, has written a powerful open letter to players competing in international tournaments across the globe this summer urging them to make a stand against the demands of a calendar he says is taking its toll on their mental and physical health.
Las Vegas calling: Gold Cup final tickets sell out in just 90 mins
June 13 –Tickets for the Concacaf Gold Cup final in Las Vegas on August 2 sold out in just 90 minutes after going on sale on Friday, a record for the tournament.
USL unveils 8 founder members of W League saying it will have 30 clubs at kick off
June 11 – The USL has unveiled the eight founding members of its women’s pro-am – the W League – that will begin play in May 2022.
Mastercard and Ambev halt activation of Copa America sponsorships
June 10 – Major sponsors Mastercard and Ambev have withdrawn their support for the Copa America following a last-minute switch of host venue to Covid-ravaged Brazil.