Connah’s Quay Nomads stun Kilmarnock to set up Europa League tie with Partisan Belgrade
July 19 – Have you ever heard of Connah’s Quay Nomads? Thought not
World Football
Ahmad cements his CAF power base with Congress purge of Africa’s VPs
By Paul Nicholson
July 17 – It has been a day of long and bloody knives at the Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as president Ahmad worked behind the scenes to remove all opposition (perceived and real) from the key decision-making levels of his empire.
Open Letter to Infantino questions his African ‘love’, his political motivation and FIFA’s integrity
By Paul Nicholson
July 18 – With the Confederation of African Football (CAF) set to cede control of its affairs to FIFA and its ‘delegate for Africa, FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura, a former FIFA employee and candidate for a CAF position on FIFA’s Council, Zelkifi R Ngoufonia (Zul), has written a hard hitting letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino says he doesn’t understand ‘colonialism’ as he sends Africa a new ‘beating heart’
September 18 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the unprecedented move to send in his number two to clean up African football will “significantly improve” the sport on the continent.
Ighalo’s early strike secure Bronze for Nigeria at AFCON
July 18 – An early goal from Odion Ighalo gave Nigeria a 1-0 win over Tunisia in their third-place playoff at the Africa Cup of Nations.
CAF exco set to take FIFA-takeover decision to Congress for approval
By Osasu Obayiuwana in Cairo
July 17 – The Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will be asked, on July 18, to approve FIFA’s parachuting in of its general secretary, Fatma Samoura, who will be involved in the running of CAF from August 1.
Al-Khelaifi says Pastore transfer docs are forgeries and threatens criminal complaint
July 17 – Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a member of UEFA’s executive committee, has hit back at allegations that he breached FIFA regulations saying that the documents he reportedly signed are forgeries, and that he will be filing a criminal complaint.
CAF in crisis: Exco disagree on FIFA takeover as late board papers railroad decision making
By Osasu Obayiuwana in Cairo, Egypt
July 17 – The Confederation of African Football, (CAF), will, on Wednesday, have what will be, arguably, its most difficult Executive Committee (Exco) session since Madagascar’s Ahmad was elected CAF President in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in March 2017.
Blatter calls it ‘colonialism’, CAF nations angered. Is FIFA overstepping its remit?
July 17 – Former president Sepp Blatter has blasted the decision to appoint secretary general Fatma Samoura to take over the management of Africa football governance as “colonialist” and says it flouts FIFA rules.
CAF stand by CL replay decision as Esperance and Wydad both go to CAS claiming title
By Osasu Obayiuwana in Cairo
July 16 – CAF President Ahmad has told Insideworldfootball that he is prepared to defend, before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the decision of his organisation’s Executive Committee to order a replay of the second leg of the Champions League final between Tunisia’s Esperance and Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club (WAC).
Frederick re-elected at USVI as islands ready for Olympic Qualification hosting
By Paul Nicholson
July 17 – Hilleran Frederick has won a third term as president of the US Virgin Islands Soccer Association (USVISA) following elections held in St. Croix. The congress also elected a new executive committee. The elections signify a new period of calm after storms that ravaged the islands and their football community.
UEFA exco member and PSG boss Al-Khelaifi accused of new transfer rule breaks
July 16 – Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a member of UEFA’s executive committee and one of the most influential figures in world sports administration, is once again back in the news for all the wrong reasons, this time accused of breaching FIFA regulations in the signing of Argentine midfielder Javier Pastore back in 2011.
CAF in crisis: Ahmad pressure increases after accusations of double-claiming expenses
July 17 – More pressure is mounting on under-fire African football chief Ahmad, this time over an expense bill he is claimed to have taken from his confederation.
Cameroon minister demands Seedorf fired after Afcon 2019 knockout failure
July 17 – Clarence Seedorf looks to be on the verge of being dismissed as coach of Cameroon after a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign with the Indomitable Lions ended in the round of 16 against West African rivals Nigeria.
Euro 2020 ticket demand tops 19.3m requests
July 17 – UEFA received a mammoth 19.3 million requests for tickets during the opening sales window for Euro 2020 tickets, shattering the previous record of 11m from EURO 2016.