New World TV picks up FIFA rights for French-speaking Africa
July 27 – World federation FIFA has awarded the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Women’s World Cup TV rights to New World TV in French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa.
RIESEN sweet on Borussia Dortmund
July 26 – Borussia Dortmund has added sweet (candy) brand RIESEN to its North American sponsorship portfolio in a two-year deal.
Spreadex puts sponsorship budget on Fulham in bid for Premier League return
July 27 – Fulham, who are looking to bounce back to the Premier League after relegation last, have signed UK financial trading and sports betting firm Spreadex as a principle partner for the next two seasons.
With Gold Cup reaching closing rounds, Concacaf launches new player awards
July 27 – Concacaf has launched a new annual awards programme that will focus on just the Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year.
Grubhub enters big event sports sponsorship with Gold Cup deal
July 27 – US food delivery service Grubhub has formally announced their first major sports sponsorship, becoming the official food delivery partner of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.
English plan to make vaccine passports mandatory for stadia meets opposition
July 26 – Plans by the British government to ban supporters who have not been fully vaccinated from Premier League and other professional grounds has been met with scepticism from supporters’ groups, human rights organisations and opposition politicians.
Haitian sexual abuse scandal: FIFA bans former referees chief for life
July 26 – Yet another Haitian official has been kicked out by FIFA after being found guilty of sexual abuse.
Lopez concludes acquisition of Girondins de Bordeaux
July 26 – Gerard Lopez has been confirmed as the new owner of Girondins de Bordeaux, saving the Ligue 1 club from bankruptcy.
Ajax agree 3-year Coca-Cola deal
July 26 – Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam and Coca-Cola have signed a sponsorship and ‘pouring’ deal for three seasons.
Kumho re-treads Spurs sponsorship in long-term deal
July 26 – Kumho Tyre has agreed a long-term extension to its Official Tyre Partner status with Premier League Tottenham Hotspur which began in 2016.
French TV chaos continues as court tells beIN to sue LFP if it wants its €330m from Canal+
July 25 – The Nanterre Commercial court in France has ruled against beIN Sports in its request to make Canal+ fulfil its contract and pay €330 million in rights fees for live broadcast of Ligue 1 matches. Canal + said it was suspending its sub-licensing contract with beIN after Ligue 1 licensed rights to Amazon.
US edges Jamaica to set up semi-final showdown with Qatar
Quarter final: Jamaica 0 USA 1
By Jhannet Sanchez in Arlington, Texas
July 25 – The US and Jamaica renewed a rivalry that has seen the two nations face each other in the last three Gold Cup stages. The US made it a third win in a row tonight in a quarter final that made up for in intensity what it lacked at times in quality.
Canada redefines Concacaf pecking order with landmark win over Costa Rica
Quarter final: Canada 2 Costa Rica 0
By Jhannet Sanchez in Arlington, Texas
July 25 – Both Costa Rica and Canada were fired up for a defining battle at the AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas, last night as their eyes were firmly set on reaching the semi-finals of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Canada were looking to cement a place at the region’s top table while Costa Rica were seeking to prove they still held it.
Brazilian sports court rejects Caboclo appeal to allow him to return to run CBF
July 24 – Rogerio Caboclo will not return from suspension to resume the presidency of the Confederation of Brazilian Sport (CBF), a Brazilian sports court has ruled. The football official has been side lined for 60 days because of sexual harassment allegations.
Mexico turn on the style to sweep aside battle-weary Honduras
Quarter final: Mexico 3 Honduras 0
July 25 – Mexico brushed aside a battered and bruised Honduras in their quarter final of the Gold Cup at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in front of a packed house of 64,211 mainly Mexican fans. They now head for Houston and a semi-final clash with either Costa Rica or Canada.