FIFA grows World Cup 2022 sponsors with UPL deal
October 27 – Global provider of agriculture products UPL Ltd has become a regional supporter of the 2022 World Cup.
FIFPRO and European Leagues combine to demand more inclusion at UEFA’s top table
October 27 – Two key organisations in the running of European football have announced a joint initiative calling for greater influence over decisions affecting the future of the sport in the wake of the failed breakaway Super League project and the seemingly aborted plan to stage the World Cup every two years.
Advent are early runner in bid for €1bn stake in LFP’s rights subsidiary
October 27 – Private Equity fund Advent International is considering buying a stake in the Ligue de Football Professionnel’s (LFP) new media company.
Infantino calls for global support in resettling Afghan refugee footballers
October 27 – FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino has again called on the international community to help with the resettlement of Afghan athletes after the Taliban takeover of their country.
OL keeps pandemic losses to €34m, but pegs lost revenue at €150m
October 27 – OL Groupe, the holding company of Ligue1 club Olympique Lyonnias, has officially reported a loss of €33.9 million for the Covid-hit 2020/21 season, the first time the group has reported a loss since it moved to its Groupama Stadium nine years ago.
Neville labels social media an out of control ‘cesspit’ for the lowest of the low
October 27 – Former England international defender Phil Neville, who now works in the United States, says social media pressure on football bosses has got “out of control” with nothing done about it.
DFL says vaccinactions are at 90%+ of players in Bundesliga’s top two divisions
October 26 – The governing body of Germany’s top two divisions says more than 90% of players, coaches and staff from the 36 clubs involved have received vaccines against Covid-19.
Rangers mourn loss of Walter Smith, aged 73
October 27 – Tributes are pouring following the death at 73 of Walter Smith, the former Scotland and Glasgow Rangers manager who won 21 trophies in an illustrious career.
UEFA breaks down financial distribution for Women’s Euro 2022
October 26 – UEFA has issued a breakdown of the prize money for the Women’s EURO 2022 to be held in England next summer, as well as more detail of the club benefits programme which will see clubs compensated for releasing players.
Illegal broadcasts cost LaLiga €231m in 2020, but pirates are being made to walk the plank
October 26 – A study by broadcast research specialists GfK has estimated that illegal access to digital content cost the Spanish economy €682 million in 2020. Piracy is estimated to have cost Spain €5.34 billion since 2012. The equivalent of 130,000 direct and indirect jobs in the industry.
12-team Euro play-off draw for Qatar 2022 set for November 26
October 26 – The eagerly anticipated 12-team European playoffs to decide who joins the 10 qualifying group winners at the World Cup in Qatar will be made on November 26.
Crowd trouble: LFP shuts Saint-Étienne stadium until at least mid-November
October 26 – Saint-Étienne, one of France’s most iconic clubs but currently bottom of Ligue 1, have been ordered to play their home games behind closed doors until at least the middle of next month after protests from angry fans delayed the start of last Friday’s 2-2 draw with Angers by an hour.
Bayern fans lobby for end to Qatar Airways sponsorship
October 26 – Bayern Munich fans have moved again against the club’s sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways, which remains contentious amongst its fans due to the airline’s state ownership and Qatar’s human rights record.
Chinese dairy business Mengniu doubles up with Qatar 2022 sponsorship
October 26 – Chinese dairy product giant Mengniu, has signed up for its second World Cup partnership, becoming an Official Sponsor of Qatar 2022.
Benzema faces jail if found guilty in Valbuena sex tape blackmail case
October 26 – France and Real Madrid star Karim Benzema faces sentencing on November 24 if he is found guilty of his involvement in an attempt to blackmail his former national teammate Matthieu Valbuena. His lawyers are demanding the case be thrown out but a potential prison sentence looming if he is found guilty.