England mourns loss of legend Jack Charlton, aged 85
July 13 – English football is paying tribute to Jack Charlton, a member of the country’s 1966 World Cup-winning team who died on Friday at the age of 85.
Champions League draw opens path for PSG; Man City, Real, Juve, Bayern and Barca face death matches
July 10 – All five former Champions League winners were placed in the same half of the quarter-final draw today, setting up some mouth-watering ties but also making things far easier, on paper at least, for some teams than others.
FIFA extends eChallenger Series, as esports revenue streams grow
By David Owen
July 10 – FIFA is suckling on the teat of its increasingly productive esport cash cow just a little more vigorously, unveiling plans on Friday for an extension of the FIFA eChallenger Series, along with games-maker EA Sports.
Spanish lawmakers ban betting sponsors on LaLiga club shirts
July 10 – Betting firms will no longer be allowed to appear as front-of-shirt sponsors or hold stadium naming rights in Spain from the start of next season.
Coronavirus: Nashville are second club to be sent home from MLS is Back restart
July 10 – Nashville SC has become the second team after FC Dallas to be withdrawn from the MLS is Back Tournament due to a number of positive coronavirus tests.
Barca, Bayern, Juve and Man City get UEFA all-clear to play last-16 CL games at home
July 10 – The four outstanding Champions League round of 16 second-leg ties, postponed because of COVID-19 in March, can be hosted by the scheduled home teams providing there are no travel restrictions.
ECA counts the Covid cost to clubs at €4bn
July 10 – European clubs expect to lose a staggering €4 billion in revenue over the next year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a study by the European Club Association.
Premier League discuss keeping transfer window open longer for trade with EFL clubs
July 10 – Premier League clubs have delayed a decision about the dates for this summer’s transfer window and are reported to be considering extending the timeline for deals with other English divisions.
Post-Covid: Pandemic forces rethink of stadium revenues and facility planning
By Paul Nicholson
July 10 – The coronavirus pandemic looks likely to bring some fundamental long term changes to how fans watch live football and the confidence they have to return to stadia. Those changes will impact on stadium operations but also on what the live experience delivers beyond the game on the pitch.
FIFA referees boss steps in to bring order to VAR chaos
July 10 – With controversy still raging over the interpretation of VAR, even with matches played behind closed doors, FIFA is taking over the responsibility for the system from the game’s lawmakers.
Macron bask in 5-year Real Sociedad renewal
July 10 – Macron have renewed their kit deal with LaLiga’s Real Sociedad for five more seasons, taking them through to the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
TrinidadGate: Fenwick, the police chief and the missing scholarship funds
By Paul Nicholson
July 9 – England defender turned Trinidad and Tobago national team coach Terry Fenwick is again attracting attention, this time over financial dealings around his Football Factory youth school with growing suspicion that money intended for player scholarships to the UK has gone missing
EFL boss Parry says Wigan’s Hong Kong owners have ‘disrespected’ English game
July 9 – The head of the English Football League has broken his silence on the collapse of Championship club Wigan Athletic pledging to get to the bottom of why the club was plunged into administration when its Hong Kong owner pulled the plug on further funding.
AFC diarises streamlined Champions League and AFC Cup around centralised venues
By Paul Nicholson
July 9 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) the first regional body to shut down its international competitions when the Covid-19 pandemic broke – has released a new calendar for the completion of its 2020 club and national team competitions.
FIFAGate: Jailed Napout files another request for release on Covid-19 health grounds
July 9 – Disgraced former Conmebol president Juan Angel Napout has again petitioned court in the US to obtain an early release from prison because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Paraguayan is serving a nine-year sentence for his role in the FIFAGate scandal.