LFP calls on government for emergency cash to keep French clubs afloat
February 11 – The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has called for emergency support from government to ward off the risk of bankruptcy for French clubs.
Report warns that transfer market’s financial ‘correction’ is far from over
By Paul Nicholson
February 11 – The drop in transfer spending as a result of the global pandemic will not be a one-off occurrence but the start of a correction of the whole transfer business, according the KPMG Football Benchmark researchers.
TikTok signs sponsorship with UEFA in time for Euro 2020
February 11 – Short-form mobile video app TikTok has signed an official partnership with UEFA for the rescheduled Euro 2020 Championship that kicks off this summer.
Haiti sexual abuse scandal deepens as FIFA suspends referees’ boss Grant
February 11 – FIFA has suspended the Haitian Football Federation’s head of referees, Rosnick Grant, for 90 days as it continues to investigate allegations of sexual abuse.
Player wage cuts hit France’s Ligue 1 as Stade Reims follows Lens with reductions
February 11 – Players and staff at Ligue 1 outfit Stade Reims have accepted salary cuts to help the club navigate the financial fallout of the coronavirus pandemic which is savaging French football in combination with the loss of TV rights revenues.
Man City supersizes its perimeter boards with two-tier LED system
February 10 – Manchester City are going big with a new ‘Supersized LED’ perimeter board system that is currently being installed at its Etihad Stadium.
Draw for Concacaf Champions League last 16 gives no easy routes for Mexico’s big clubs
February 11 – The draw for the last 16 of the Concacaf Champions League has pitched Mexican giants Club America against last season’s breakthrough team CD Olimpia from Honduras, who made it to the semi-finals last December.
Return of Domenech lasts just 6 weeks at Nantes
February 10 – Former French national coach Raymond Domenech has been sacked by Nantes after just six weeks in charge following a string of poor results with the club hovering just above the relegation places.
Motsepe hits the campaign trail but think-tank casts doubt over his political savvy
By Andrew Warshaw, extra reporting by Samindra Kunti
February 10 – With still no formal government support for this candidacy, South African millionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe (pictured) appears to be struggling to gain sufficient backing to become the next president of the Confederation of African Football.
Covid travel ban chaos forces UEFA to hunt for neutral venues
February 10 – UEFA have been forced to move even more games to neutral ground as the chaos and confusion over Covid-related travel bans continue to take their toll, presenting a major head-ache to all concerned.
Panel finds in favour of PFA and rules English League One and Two salary caps ‘unlawful’
February 10 – Salary caps for players in England’s League One and League Two, representing the third and fourth tiers of English football, have been scrapped following a decision by an independent arbitration panel – just eight months after they were introduced.
Serie A TV deals reach crucial point as CVC shows signs of cold feet
February 10 – The new Serie A deals for domestic and international broadcast rights – revenue that will underpin the league and its clubs – have reached crucial and sensitive stages at the same time.
Flamengo seek €5m loan but banking on €22m of player sales
February 10 – Brazilian club Flamengo is seeking a €5.3 million loan to provide working capital for the start of the 2021 season.
Trial of 150 ‘Healthcare passes’ for Fenerbahce fans ruined by ill wind of abuse
February 10 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) decision to break coronavirus stadium lock-out rules and allow privileged access to 150 healthcare workers in for the Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray derby backfired at the weekend.
AYX onboard with Roma to bring Asian focus as regional betting partner
February 10 – The market for betting sponsorship of Italian clubs may be drying up domestically as gambling authorities move in with new rules, but the appetite for promotion in international markets is still there.