Mastercard joins partner roster for Sport Integrity Week, September 12-16
August 3 – Mastercard has stepped up to partner with SIGA and its Sport Integrity Week 2022 that will take place in Cascais, Portugal, from September 12-16.
FIFA’s African apparatchiks keep CAF reform proposal from being circulated to MAs
By Paul Nicholson
August 3 – A reform proposal submitted by the Zambian FA for the restructuring of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee to make it both more representative of Africa’s nations and to save costs of at least $25 million appears to have been kicked into the long grass by CAF’s general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba (pictured).
Premier League players agree to stop taking the knee before every match
August 3 – In a move that seems likely to split public opinion, Premier League players have agreed to stop taking the knee routinely before every kick off during the new season that gets under way later this week, instead performing it ahead of specific games.
South Americans launch 2023 bid with an emotional call for a return to the World Cup’s roots
By Samindra Kunti
August 3 – It took about five years to put together, but on Tuesday South America finally launched their bid to stage the 2030 World Cup with an unprecedented coalition of Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile vying to stage a celebratory, centenary global finals in the region.
England vs USA at Wembley in October will crown unofficial world champions
August 3 – The Champions of Europe will play the Champions of Concacaf on October 7 at Wembley in what will unofficially be the decider of who is currently the best women’s team in the world currently.
LaLiga agrees title sponsorship deal with EA Sports FC as sun sets on FIFA esports franchise
August 23 – Spain’s LaLiga has unveiled EA Sports, and it’s renamed EA Sports FC video game title, as the naming rights partner for the league once the current deal with Santander expires at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Norway turn to Hege Riise to rescue womens team’s fortunes
August 3 – Following the underwhelming campaign at Euro 2022 and the exit of Martin Sjögren, Norway have appointed record international Hege Riise (pictured) as the new coach of their women’s national team.
England and Germany players dominate ‘Best’ Euro 2022 XI
August 3 – Four players from champions England and five from runners-up Germany were named in the women’s Euro 2022 team of the tournament announced by UEFA.
Rangers struggle to reignite European passion as Union take advantage
By Samindra Kunti in Leuven
Leuven – On a raucous night at Den Dreef, Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise upset Glasgow Rangers 2-0 in the third round of Champions League qualifying, with Teddy Teuma and Dante Vanzeir getting the goals either side of the half.
LaLiga and Premier League climb the Chinese broadcast wall
August 3 – England’s Premier League, and Spain’s LaLiga have both announced new deals in China suggesting that there may be a thawing in football relationships with the country that has pretty much closed its doors to outside football influence.
AFC releases dates for major structural shift of Champions League and AFC Cup for 2023/24
August 2 – The AFC has unveiled more detail of its new club competition calendar, taking effect in full from 2023, as it transitions away from its current Spring-Autumn calendar year season to following the Autumn-Spring calendar of the European season.
The AFC Champions League 2023/24 will open with the Preliminary Stage 1 on August 8, 2023, with the Group Stage being played from September 18 to December 13, 2023, and with a return to home and away fixtures rather than playing at the centralised venues.
English FA look to keep Wiegman beyond 2025 Women’s Euros
August 2 – The English FA are planning contract talks with head coach Sarina Wiegman after she guided the country to Euro 2022 glory on Sunday in her first tournament in charge of the Lionesses.
Premier League players debate effectiveness of taking the knee
August 2 – The captains of English Premier League teams are in talks with their teams over whether to continue taking the knee when the new season gets under way later this week.
Fabregas commits to Serie B club Como as player and shareholder
August 2 – Former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas will become a shareholder at Italian Serie B club Como following his move to Italy.
UEFA hits Bratislava with partial stadium closure, fines and away fan ban
August 2 – UEFA has fined Slovan Bratislava €40,000 for the racist behaviour of its fans during the first leg of its Champions League qualifier at Ferencváros on July 20 – and has ruled that part of its stadium will be closed for its next game in any UEFA competition.