Signed napkin that secured Messi’s move to Barca sells for $965,000 at auction
May 20 – A white paper restaurant napkin that formally linked a young Lionel Messi to Barcelona was sold at a Bonhams on-line auction on Friday for $968,600.
Bangkok sketch: Infantino’s iron fist of democracy and the new FIFA currency of unity
May 17 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino opened the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, with a call for unity. It was a rhetorical moment, as the Congress proved as it rattled through agenda point after agenda point with very little debate and a button pushing membership pressing yes to everything on the electronic voting system that was put before them.
Infantino prevents FIFA membership from voting on Palestine motion to ban Israel
By Samindra Kunti in Bangkok
May 17 – FIFA will commission a ‘legal assessment’ of the conflict in the Middle East by a panel of ‘independent’ experts after the Palestinian FA (PFA) demanded sanctions be taken against the Israeli FA (IFA) at FIFA’s 74th Annual Congress in Bangkok, Thailand.
Infantino sends Fifpro and WLA packing with message they have no place at his top table
May 17 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has dismissed the threat of legal challenge from Fifpro and the World Leagues Association (WLA) over the overloaded match calendar and the introduction of the expanded 32-team Club World Cup in 2025 as ‘futile’.
FIFA awards hosting of the 2027 Women’s World Cup to Brazil
May 17 – Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues has called the choice of Brazil as host for the 2027 Women’s World Cup a “victory for the women’s game’.
FIFA’s legends unveil five-pillar anti-racism programme
May 17 – FIFA unveiled a five ‘pillar’ initiative to combat racism in football at its Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. FIFA said the recommendations will be mandated across all 211 of its member federations.
Aussie A-League rocked by arrests of 3 players in match-fixing probe
May 17 – Australian professional football has been plunged into disrepute by accusations that the captain of A-League club Macarthur FC paid two younger teammates up to 10,000 Australian dollars to deliberately receive yellow cards in a scheme set up by a South American gambling connection.
Leeds take a big step towards Premier League return
May 17 – Leeds United became the first team to reach the 2024 Championship playoff final for the Premier League with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Norwich City last night.
Juve’s Allegri fined and banned after Italian Cup final tantrum
May 17 – Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has been suspended for two matches and fined €5,000 by a Serie A league judge for his behaviour during the Italian Cup final.
Capelli lands league-wide USL Super League kit deal
May 17 – The USL Super League have announced a new long-term, league wide uniform and apparel partnership with Capelli Sport, as the league expands its portfolio of brand partners as it establishes itself as tier one women’s professional league in the US.
No turning back for Tuchel at Bayern Munich
May 17 – Bayern Munich’s apparent u-turn to try and keep manager Thomas Tuchel at the club has been rebuffed after the two parties failed to reach an agreement.
Lenny Kravitz to headline Champions League kick-off show
May 17 – Lenny Kravitz will headline the entertainment at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show on June 1 in London.
Romanian clubs boost investment in academies
May 17 – Romania’s top tier clubs have invested €11.5 million in their youth academies over the last 2023/24 season, according to figures from by the Romanian Football Federation (FRF).
Palestine, 2027 World Cup vote and racism to take centrestage at FIFA Congress
By Samindra Kunti in Bangkok
May 16 – On Friday, Palestine, the 2027 Women’s World Cup, a series of amendments to the FIFA Statutes and racism will take centre stage at the FIFA Congress in the Thai capital.
CFG told to reduce shareholding in Man City or Girona to clear both teams for UCL
May 15 – Manchester City and their sister club Girona will not both be able to compete in next season’s Champions League unless the Abu Dhabi owners reduce their shareholding in one or other of the two, UEFA has ruled.