MLS Cup moves further up the dial with network return on ABC
August 30 – The MLS Cup final will return to a national American network in 2019 with ABC airing the November 10 showpiece match in the US domestic calendar.
World Football
Liverpool’s van Dijk breaks the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly
August 30 – Liverpool’s Dutch Champions League-winning defender Virgil van Dijk has been named UEFA’s Men’s Player of the Year, edging out regular award-winning duo Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the prestigious prize.
Champions League draw: Ajax back for more as Europe’s elite line-up for €1.95bn share out
August 29 – Ahead of today’s draw Ajax Amsterdam, Club Brugge and Slavia Prague have completed the 32-team playing field of the Champions League, a competition whose future format will decide the direction of European football.
English fan groups hit UEFA with list of ticket and venue demands
August 29 – Supporters groups of four English Premier League clubs have jointly submitted a list of demands to UEFA covering ticket allocation and venue choice following complaints surrounding last season’s Champions League and Europa League finals.
New US pro-league NISA to debut this weekend
August 29 – The second third tier US professional league opens for business this weekend when Oakland Roots meet California United Strikers in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) inaugural 2019 fall season.
Esperance wait for Champions League winning cash as centenary season gathers pace
By Osasu Obayiuwana in Tunis
August 28 – Esperance, winners of the 2019 African Champions’ League, have told Insideworldfootball that they are yet to receive the $2.5 million prize money to which they’re entitled.
Rangers fans told to end sectarian abuse as UEFA focus centres on Europa League tie
August 28 – Scotland manager Steve Clarke Scotland hopes a UEFA ban on Glasgow Rangers will help the club eradicate racist behaviour.
Mediapro secure Nations League for Canada’s OneSoccer digital service
August 28 – Broadcast group Mediapro, that has been putting down roots in Canadian football this year, has acquired the rights to the 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League which will air on the OneSoccer digital platform dedicated to Canadian football.
Cantona to receive UEFA President’s Award for charitable work
August 28 – Former France and Manchester United forward Eric Cantona has been selected for this year’s UEFA President’s Award and will collect it at a special ceremony in Monaco tomorrow on the day of the Champions League draw.
Niersbach, Zwanziger, Schmidt and Linsi face German trial over alleged 2006 tax fraud
August 27 – Four former top football officials face trial in Germany after a Frankfurt court ruled they must answer tax evasion charges linked to the 2006 World Cup vote-buying scandal.
Controversial Lekjaa butts out of Morocco’s RS Berkane
August 23 – Controversial CAF first vice president and Moroccan FA president Fouzi Lekjaa has resigned as president of Moroccan club RS Berkane after a ten-year reign.
Former Ghana striker Junior Agogo dies, aged 40
August 23 – Former Ghana international striker Junior Agogo has died tragically at the age of 40.
Butler aims for AFCON qualification in new Liberian role
August 23 – Former West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Peter Butler has signed a one-year contract to coach Liberia three weeks before they begin their qualification campaign for the next World Cup.
Conmebol repeats high ticket price policy for Copa Libertadores final in Chile
August 22 – In a repeat of the 2019 Copa America, Conmebol has set high ticket prices for November’s Copa Libertadores final in Santiago, Chile, pricing the majority of South American fans out of the showpiece event.
Concacaf unveil Guadalajara as host city for 8-team Tokyo 2020 qualifiers
August 22 – Concacaf have announced Guadalajara, Mexico, as the host venue for its men’s U-23 Championship, which will qualify two teams for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.