Feb 2021 dates set for China vs South Korea Tokyo 2020 women’s qualifier
May 28 – The final AFC spot at the Tokyo 2020 women’s Olympic tournament will now be decided in February 2021 over a two-legged play-off between China and South Korea.
French federation turns down LFP proposal to expand Ligue 2
May 28 – French football bosses have rejected the LFP’s proposal to expand Ligue 2 from 20 to 22 clubs for the 2020/21 season. As a result, Pau and Dunkerque will remain in the National, France’s third tier.
US women take lead with NWSL to return in June with broadcast and sponsor support
May 28 – While the women’s professional game will not return in England this season, in the US is again taking the lead in the women’s game with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announcing that the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup will kick off in Utah, June 27.
‘Crazy’ transfer fees won’t come back soon, says rule-following Mourinho
March 28 – Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho, who has spent big for much of his managerial career, says there will be fewer “crazy” transfers after top-flight football returns from its Covid-19 shutdown.
Watford’s Deeney, ‘trolled’ over refusal to return to work, agrees to restart
May 28 – Troy Deeney, captain of English Premier League side Watford and one of the few players courageous enough to express his views about concerns over returning to training because of his baby son, says he has suffered online abuse over his stance, aimed at both himself and his family.
Rebel Belgian clubs file complaints against KBVB’s ‘culture of dark affairs’
By Samindra Kunti
May 27 – Relegated Waasland-Beveren, Virton, Antwerp and former Charlton owner Roland Duchâtelet have all filed complaints with Belgium’s competition authorities (BMA) claiming abuse of power and a conflict of interest at the Belgian FA (KBVB) and the Pro League.
Saudi takeover of Newcastle teetering after WTO report finds state broke international law
By Andrew Warshaw
May 27 – The proposed £300 million takeover of Newcastle United by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) fronted by controversial Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, has been thrown into doubt after reports that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has found the Saudis breached international law by backing the pirating of Premier League matches.
If in doubt, kick him out. Data tracks trigger-happy clubs and the short lifespans of coaches
May 27 – The average lifespan of a head coach at a top tier club anywhere in the world is just 40.6 games, according to new data from the CIES Football Observatory.
Remote Cheerer app to deliver ‘live’ crowd noise to J. League matches
May 27 – With all football played behind closed doors when it returns, Japan is turning to technology to generate atmosphere by developing a smartphone app that will allow fans to cheer remotely.
LaLiga’s Espanyol and Leganés reward season ticket holders with free passes
May 27 – Spanish clubs Espanyol and Leganés will compensate season-ticket holders for the game’s shutdown by handing out free passes for the 2020-2021 campaign.
Swiss friendly match draws crowd of 1,000 flouting lockdown rules
May 27 – Authorities in Switzerland are investigating reports than almost 1,000 people broke coronavirus restrictions by attending an unofficial match in Lausanne.
Bundesliga boosts real-time broadcast stats as Amazon Web Services deal kicks in
May 27 – The first fruit of the Bundesliga’s recently announced co-operation with Amazon Web Services (AWS) has gone live with real-time stats being available for matchday 28 of the restarted season.
Live streamer MyCujoo opens up its tech platform to give users more video options
May 27 – Live football video streaming platform MyCujoo has opened up its streaming platform with a tech toolbox that will allow use users to take greater control of the video streaming output and create their own video experiences beyond just the streaming of games.
SIGA Strives 22: Integrity body to unveil new series of gender equality initiatives
May 27 – SIGA will launch its new intergenerational 2020/2021 Global Agenda for Gender Equity in Sport on Sunday 7 June 2020, symbolically coincide with the anniversary of inaugural match of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup that proved to be a game-changer for the perception of the women’s game.
FIFA and WHO launch campaign to support those at risk to domestic violence
May 27 – FIFA has joined forces with the World Health Organisation and the European Commission to launch the #SafeHome campaign to support women and children at risk of domestic violence during the coronavirus pandemic.