No shirt off their backs. FC Copenhagen join ban on banners asking players for jerseys
July 28 – Danish champions FC Copenhagen have banned fans from taking signs to matches asking for players’ shirts.
WWC2023: James strike pushes England towards last 16
July 28 – England closed in on a round-of-16 berth at the Women’s World Cup with an improved performance to defeat Denmark 1-0, a result that was marred by a serious injury to Keira Walsh.
Booking.com signed sponsorship deal with FIFA whilst withholding hotel and host payments
July 25 – FIFA’s last minute sponsorship with Booking.com has sparked anger amongst small hotels and accommodation hosts, thousands of whom had gone unpaid worldwide for more than six weeks when the sponsorship deal was announced.
Police make arrests after violence in North Macedonia between Shkupi and Levski fans
July 28 – North Macedonian FK Shkupi ultras attacked Levski Sofia supporters before the UEFA Europa Conference League Second qualifying round match between the two teams in Skopje yesterday (Thursday).
SIGA announce over 60 hosting partners for Sports Integrity Week
July 28 – SIGA is reporting more than 60 hosting partners, in 33 cities and 21 countries have so far signed up for Sport Integrity Week, September 2-9.
Argentina and South Africa entertain with draw that keeps Group G alive to final round
By Samindra Kunti in Dunedin
July 28 – Argentina rallied late to rescue a 2-2 draw against South Africa in an enthralling Group G match with both the South Americans and Banyana Banyana retaining a chance of progressing from the group.
Red Star Belgrade targets Kosovo with tank banner and war message at Fiorentina friendly
July 27 – The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) has filed a complaint at UEFA following Serbian club FK Crvena Zvezda’s (Red Star Bekgrade) unfurling of a huge fan activation of a tank against the background of the Serbian flag, and a banner underneath with writing in Serbian saying: ‘When the army returns to Kosovo’.
AFC draw plots qualifying routes to 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup
July 27 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has held the draw for the first and second round World Cup 2026 qualifiers for the AFC’s potential nine slots at the expanded 48-team finals.
WWC2023: Nigeria shock hosts leaving Aussies with must-win game against Canada
July 27 – Nigeria came from behind to stun co-hosts Australia 3-2 on Thursday and leave the Matildas fighting for their lives to qualify for the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup.
In FIFA’s pocket? French push Platini’s criminal complaint against Infantino to Swiss courts
July 27 – Former UEFA chief Michel Platini has reacted with outrage after a criminal complaint he brought against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the French courts 18 months ago for alleged influence peddling was bizarrely transferred to the Swiss justice system.
Henderson confirms move to join Steven Gerrard at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq
July 27 – Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has confirmed his departure from the club after 12 years after becoming the latest Premier League player to move to Saudi Arabia.
Dutch coach rues missed opportunity to make home fans happy in the middle of the night
July 27 – Netherlands coach Andries Jonker had mixed feelings following an intense 1-1 draw with the United States in Group E, a result that allows the Dutch to claim top spot at the expense of the Americans in their final group game. “I didn’t sign for this,” lamented Jonker.
Mbappé turns down €300m move to Saudi Arabia as Real Madrid close in, reports
July 27 – The Kylian Mbappé saga is rolling on after the French superstar reportedly snubbed a world record offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.
Canada players’ pay dispute escalates as men’s team issue legal letters over image rights
July 27 – Canada Men’s National Team Players Association have taken a stand against Canada Soccer sponsors’ use of players’ names, images, and likenesses in their marketing and advertising.
Bundesliga targets boost in US fan engagement with Minute Media deal
July 27 – Germany’s Bundesliga have struck a partnership with digital publisher Minute Media in an effort to increase fan content and engagement in the United States.