Fiat workers to strike over ‘unacceptable’ cost of Ronaldo
July 13 – Juventus’ acquisition of Real Madrid and Portugal superstar for €112 million plus a €30 million per year salary, is not being welcomed everywhere in Italy.
FIFA promise legal action and urges Saudi Arabia to intervene in beoutQ piracy
By Paul Nicholson
July 12 – FIFA has stepped back into the beoutQ piracy debate ‘urging’ Saudi Arabia to support efforts to stop the copyright theft taking place in the country and saying that it will take legal action in Saudi Arabia to protect its rights.
Who’s tired? Modric digs the knife in as Croatia send England home
By Andrew Warshaw
July 12 – As an entire nation digests the disappointment of football not coming home after all, Croatia’s star player insists his side were underestimated and deserved to reach the World Cup final at England’s expense.
Elliott takes control at AC Milan and throws club another €50m
July 12 – AC Milan’s Chinese buyer Yonghong Li has lost control of the club after US hedge fund Elliott Management announced it has taken over the Italian giants following Li’s failure to make a €32 million loan payment.
Amuneke lays blame for African 2018 performances on poor talent development
July 12 – Africa will never fulfil their potential on the World Cup stage unless they develop their youth properly and have strong enough characters on the field.
Beckham group seeks Miami approval for $1bn Miami Freedom Park development
July 12 – The David Beckham-led investment group behind Miami’s Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise may have been slow to secure the slot but is now gathering pace with meetings scheduled today with city officials regarding the plans for an ambitious new multi-use stadium complex.
US giant Kohler debuts in Premier League as Man Utd’s first sleeve sponsor
July 12 – US brand Kohler has become a global partner of Manchester United in a multi-year partnership that will see the company take the club’s sleeve branding.
No more sexy women, says FIFA, as broadcasters told to censor their crowd shots
July 12 – While racism has been virtually non-existent at the World Cup, the anti-discrimination group advising FIFA says broadcasters have focussed too much on picking out attractive females and that there has been too much sexism generally in and around cities.
Socked. Down and out England fined by FIFA for wearing wrong ankle supports
July 12 – It will hardly register amid the disappointment of semi-final elimination but the English FA has been fined CHF70,000 after three players – Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Raheem Sterling – wore unauthorised equipment at the World Cup.
Dafabet secure Premier League returners Fulham with record shirt sponsorship
July 12 – Championship play-off winners Fulham – who in doing so guaranteed themselves a £160 million three-season Premier League income stream – have capitalised further on their promotion with a club record two-year sponsorship with global betting brand Dafabet.
MediaPro affiliate in US DoJ corruption case handed $24m fine. Investigations ‘ongoing’
July 11 – As the World Cup reaches its climax in Russia, the FifaGate scandal has reared its head again with The Imagina Group, parent of Spanish broadcaster MediaPro, agreeing to pay $24 million after its US-based affiliate US Imagina pleaded guilty to charges of corruption.
Vida video puts more heat on Croatian over ‘Belgrade burn’ comment
July 11 – FIFA is investigating a new video of Croatia defender Domagoj Vida’s comments in the wake of his side’s quarterfinal World Cup victory over Russia.
Betway agrees three-year AS Roma deal despite potential gaming sponsor ban in Italy
July 11 – Online bookmaker Betway, which has just added two top-tier LaLiga clubs to its sponsorship roster, has now signed its first Italian club, AS Roma.
Juve conclude Ronaldo deal for €112m and €30m a year salary
July 11 – A massive self-indulgent risk for a 33-year-old or a masterstroke? The latest phase in the remarkable career of Cristiano Ronaldo has seen him join Juventus from Real Madrid for about €112 million, making him one the four most expensive players of all time.
Luis Enrique signs on for Spanish job in time for Nations League kick off against England
July 11 – As anticipated, Spain have named former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique as their new head coach after Fernando Hierro stepped down from temporary charge following their shock last-16 World Cup exit to Russia.