Turkish hopes in tatters as promising young team exits Euros without a point
June 21 – They arrived as genuine dark horses to go deep into the tournament yet depart after three humbling defeats, one goal scored and without a single point.
Thai club successes prompt True to move in on AFC media rights in one season deal
June 21 – With four Thai clubs entering Asian Champions League action for the first time this week, the AFC has moved fast to secure True as their new media partner in Thailand for all AFC club competitions in the 2021 season.
Mexico hit with fan ban for World Cup qualifiers as fears raised for impact on 2026 hosting
June 20 – World federation FIFA have sanctioned the Mexico football federation (FMF) for the ‘puta’ homophobic chants from supporters during Olympic qualifying matches for the men’s team. As a punishment, Mexicans fans will be banned from El Tri’s first two World Cup qualifiers.
Move over Ibra: Alexander Isak is Sweden’s new king
June 20 – On a steamy afternoon near the Gulf of Finland, Aleksander Isak emerged as the new heir to Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Sweden and Russia lived up to their reputations of playing stifling football in a match of diabolical quality.
Martinez promises De Bruyne, Hazard and Witzel to lead Belgium against Finns
June 20 – Belgian A-listers Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel will all start against Finland, Belgian coach Roberto Martinez confirmed in a match that his Finnish counterpart Markku Kanerva dubbed “the game of our lives”.
Euro 2020 final at Wembley in the balance as covid rule change request creates political anxiety
By Paul Nicholson
June 18 – Rumours that UEFA could switch the Euro 2020 final from London to another venue outside the UK have gathered pace with discussion ongoing about provision of a special covid protocol that would allow fans of teams in for the final without having to undergo normal quarantine procedures.
UEFA warns of fines after Ronaldo’s removal of Coke bottle knocks $bns off market value
By Andrew Warshaw
June 18 – Teams at Euro 2020 have been warned about their contractual obligation to sponsors after both Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba removed official drinks bottles at press conferences.
St Petersburg covid rules tighten as Slovakia report positive cases
By Samindra Kunti in St Petersburg
June 18 – Russia’s Euro 2020 host city has tightened restrictions to curb a third wave of Covid-19 as the Slovakia team reported two positive tests on the eve of their Group E game with Sweden.
Congo’s Omari blows final whistle on his career at top of African football
June 18 – After 18 years at the head of Congolese football, Constant Omari, for years one of African football’s most influential as well as controversial figures, is calling it a day after a career marked by claims of shady dealing and corruption.
Valencia embraces Socios.com crytpo platform with $VCF taking shirt front position
June 18 – The blockchain-based Fan Token platform Socios.com has added LaLiga’s Valencia CF to their roster of clubs in a deal that will see the $VCF promoted on the front of the club’s shirt for the 2021-22 season.
No sick note for Blatter as Swiss summon him for August hearing
June 18 – The Swiss judiciary are not giving up on trying to get former FIFA president Sepp Blatter to answer proceedings against him.
CBF reshuffles again as Nunes fires general secretary Feldman
June 18 – CBF interim president coronel Nunes has dismissed the organisation’s general secretary Walter Feldman, who will be replaced by Eduardo Zebini.
ESL debacle forces Relevent to pull ICC plans for 2021, but promise 2022 return
June 18 – The mens International Champions Cup (ICC) organised by US sports marketing group Relevent has been cancelled for a second year. Relevent will be continuing with its four-team women’s tournament announced last month.
Myanmar player asks for asylum in Japan after three-fingered protest salute
June 18 – Japanese authorities are considering an asylum request from a Myanmar squad player who has refused to return home following a World Cup qualifier between the teams last month.
DAZN boosts football output in Japan with AFC Champions League deal
June 18 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has partnered with global sports streaming giants DAZN as the exclusive media rights partner in Japan to broadcast the next eight seasons of Asia’s flagship club competition, the Champions League.