LaLiga buys back beIN TV rights to US for new 8-year ESPN deal
May 14 – LaLiga has signed an 8-year deal with the streaming arm of US sports broadcaster ESPN. The deal covers English and Spanish language rights.
FIFA wage fund shells out $3m+ to unpaid players in 2020 with $4m expected in 2021
May 14 – A joint project between FIFA and FIFPro to help players whose salaries were not paid has sent $2 million to more than 400 applicants from Greek and Turkish clubs.
FIFPro objects to Korean FA and K-League player shutout from contract talks
May 14 – The world players’ union FIFPro is considering issuing a formal complaint against the South Korean federation and its top-flight K-League domestic league for keeping the country’s players out of contract negotiations.
Tebas says ESL would have cost 50,000 jobs, and warns of FIFA’s continued interference
By Paul Nicholson
May 13 – LaLiga president Javier Tebas hit out again at the European Super League (ESL) clubs and the ‘disaster’ they would have unleashed on European Football, as well as again powerfully questioning the motivation and behind-the-scenes actions of FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino.
Analysis: Wage control – more than ever the elephant in the room for Premier League clubs
By David Owen
May 13 – So, it’s official, more or less. The Premier League’s website confirms what has been widely reported, that “the UK renewals for the next broadcast cycle – from seasons 2022-23 to 2024-25 – will be concluded at the same overall value as the current arrangements between the Premier League and its broadcast partners”.
Ceferin opens new dialogue with fan groups – as ‘legitimate stakeholders’
May 13 – After the storm come the talking shops. UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin has begun meetings with supporters groups as he follows up on his promise to engage the European body more formally with fan groups.
Porto confirmed as Champions League final venue; 12,000 tickets on sale via clubs
By Andrew Warshaw
May 13 – Porto has been confirmed as the venue for this season’s all-English Champions League final later this month after a deal to move the game from Istanbul to Wembley couldn’t be reached between UEFA and the British government.
Premier League set for approval of roll-over TV deals in UK; £100m sweetener for EFL
By Samindra Kunti
May 12 – The Premier League is set to be given government approval to roll over its existing television deal with domestic broadcasters for a further three years, with the league claiming that “the renewals will provide financial certainty to clubs throughout professional football”.
Ball ready to roll at AFC Cup as logistical challenges are kicked into touch
May 13 – The AFC Cup returns tomorrow (Friday) with the launch of the 18th edition of the competition as the Central Zone gets underway in Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.
Transfer trends: Player market values stagnate, but Haaland, Foden and LLorente show increases
May 13 – A re-evaluation of player market values (an indicator of potential transfer fees) by the KPMG Football Benchmark has found that “player values have been stagnant over the past six months, and most players have still not regained their ‘pre-pandemic’ market value.”
Caboclo under pressure at CBF as misconduct allegations surface
May 12 – The much-plagued Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is experiencing an internal crisis with supremo Rogerio Caboclo (pictured) on the brink of exiting the governing body.
Spain eases Covid restrictions to allow some fans back into stadia
May 13 – Spanish authorities have green lighted the return of a limited number of fans to football matches, allowing supporters to witness a part of the nail-biting finale of La Liga.
Tebas points to Infantino as puppeteer behind ESL formation
By Andrew Warshaw
May 12 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s alleged role in aiding and abetting the formation of the ill-fated European Super League has again been catapulted into the public domain by outspoken La Liga chief Javier Tebas.
FIFA and Qatar 2022 bosses meet with MAs to discuss human rights progress
May 12 – Following human rights protests by international players from Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Norway and letters from the Danish and Norwegian FA’s FIFA and World Cup 2022 organisers Qatar have begun a series of meetings with member associations.
Keller to stand down at DFB over Koch ‘Nazi’ comments
May 12 – Time appears to have caught up with German football chief Fritz Keller who has offered to step down after sparking a wave of criticism for comparing his colleague to a notorious Nazi judge.