Brazil fire Pia Sundhage after disappointing 2023 World Cup
August 31 – Brazil have dismissed Pia Sundhage as coach after their first-round exit from the recent Women’s World Cup, the country’s earliest departure since the 1995 finals.
Toon Army top Premier League attendance for defeat by Liverpool
August 31 – Match week 3 of the Premier League recorded the lowest average capacity of the season so far with 97.98% of seats being taken, down from 98.91% on match week 1, which featured all the same stadiums.
UEFA launches ‘Be a Referee!’ campaign to boost match official numbers
August 31 – UEFA have launched a first-of-its-kind refereeing recruitment campaign following a UEFA’s refereeing committee report outlining a shortage of match officials thoughout the game in Europe.
Liga Portugal blazes sports integrity trail with SIRVS audit
August 31 – Liga Portugal has blazed a sports governance trail becoming the first top tier professional football league to submit to an independent sports integrity audit via SIGA’s Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS).
‘Concacaf Access’ talking shop wraps up third edition in Honduras
August 31 – Concacaf has completed another edition of its ‘Concacaf Access’ forum in Honduras, following on from previous events in Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Turkey’s Samsunspor signs up for French lessons with Toulouse co-operation
August 31 – Turkey’s Samsunspor and France’s Toulouse FC have signed a three-year cooperation agreement that will see both clubs work together on a number of development projects including the sharing of young players and knowledge in terms of strategic, technical and management.
Jailed Mamatou Touré re-elected Mali FA president from his prison cell
August 30 – The strong man of Mali football, Mamatou Touré, has been re-elected federation president – from a prison cell.
Deals not done: Chelsea to put last minute bet on Toney, Spurs chase Fati
August 30 – Chelsea could reportedly launch a last-minute £80 million bid for 27-year-old Brentford striker Ivan Toney ahead of the transfer window closure on September 1.
‘African Football League’ limps to lift off with just 8 teams as Super League plan evaporates
By Samindra Kunti
August 30 – African football’s governing body has revealed details for a slimmed-down Super League, the ‘African Football League’, that will see eight clubs compete in 14 matches for the new prize.
Rapinoe to make US national team final bow against South Africa
August 30 – Women’s footballing icon Megan Rapinoe will play her final game for the United States on September 24 in a friendly against South Africa in Chicago.
ECA deliver final round of refugees support funding from Ukraine Relief Fund
August 30 – The European Club Association (ECA) relief fund has delivered its third and final round of project funding designed to aid Ukrainian refugees across Europe.
Miroslav Klose to receive 2023 UEFA President Award
August 30 – All-time leading World Cup scorer Miroslav Klose will receive the 2023 UEFA President Award which will be presented at the Champions League group stage draw tomorrow at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
Van Dijk faces extra suspension after FA charges him with abusing officials
August 30 – Liverpool’s influential Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk has been charged by the English Football Association for behaving in an “improper manner” following his red card during their 2-1 Premier League win at Newcastle United on Sunday.
Ireland end contract with Pauw after maiden World Cup final appearance
August 30 – Vera Pauw (pictured) will depart her role as Republic of Ireland Women’s manager following the expiry of her contract at the end of August. Eileen Gleeson will take charge on an interim basis.
Selling the dream: LaLiga and T3N to invest €300m in overseas residential academies
August 30 – LaLiga is expanding its elite residential academy concept into international markets with the T3N Sport & Investment Group, and a €300 million 5-year spend focused on “strategic markets such as the US, Mexico, Japan, and the Middle East.”