England’s Lionesses chip in with support for #PlayersTogether fund
April 15 – England’s Lionesses have donated to #PlayersTogether to help the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ashley closing in on £300m sale of Newcastle to Saudi-backed group
April 15 – The on-off sale of Newcastle United, one of English football’s best supported sleeping giants, has moved a significant step closer with reports that a £300 million deal has been agreed.
EFL agrees 25% wage deferral with players’ union
April 14 – The English Football League (EFL) has agreed a “compromise proposal” with the union representing the country’s professional players, allowing clubs to defer 25% of their wages for April.
David Owen: Will the big clubs live to regret their growing remoteness from local fans?
One of the hallmarks of Big Football over the past 30 years is how remote mega-clubs have got from supporters.
Swiss drop criminal case against Blatter but FIFA’s CHF2 million claim still lingers
By Andrew Warshaw
April 14 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter (pictured), still under a six-year global ban from football at the age of 84 despite always protesting his innocence, has won a partial victory against his accusers with federal prosecutors in Switzerland agreeing to drop one of two cases against him for suspected criminal mismanagement.
Barca board rebels over Bartomeu’s management and calls for elections
April 14 – Barcelona, the world’s richest club, have been plunged into an internal crisis after six board members, including two vice-presidents, resigned in protest at how the club is being run.
Swiss judiciary use Infantino-Lauber link to prevent AG’s return to FIFA investigation
April 14 – In a move that will fuel further suspicion over his links with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Switzerland’s federal court has prevented controversial Attorney General Michael Lauber’s (pictured) bid to rejoin investigations of corruption.
Levy wants to make Spurs fans ‘proud’ as furlough reversed and stadium opens as test centre
April 14 – Following a fierce backlash from fans, English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur have reversed their decision to use the British government’s furlough scheme during the coronavirus crisis.
Ajax, Benfica and RB Salzburg are Big-5’s hunting ground for players. So is Leeds
April 14 – Ajax and Benfica top a ranking of clubs providing the most players to Europe’s Big-5 leagues.
Jailed FIFA-fraudster Napout refused ‘release’ on coronavirus grounds
April 14 – A US federal judge has denied a request by former Conmebol strongman and FIFAgate culprit Juan Angel Napout to be given compassionate release from prison because of the coronavirus pandemic but reserved judgment on his request for to be let out on bail pending his ongoing appeal.
Saints accounts reveal jump in directors’ pay
By David Owen
April 14 – Directors’ remuneration at Southampton almost doubled last season, as the south-coast club ran up a pre-tax loss of £41 million.
Indicted Fox TV execs released on bail in FIFAgate case
April 14 – Two former 21st Century Fox Inc. executives have been released on $15 million bail after pleading not guilty for their alleged roles in the FIFAgate scandal.
CBF chief says no return to play in sight as clubs move to financial cliff-edge
April 14 – The secretary general of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) Walter Feldman has said that Brazilian football won’t return to action any time soon.
Infantino warns leagues against returning to action too early
April 14 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has warned countries not to start playing football again too early since safety has to come first.
Minister puts stop to Real Sociedad’s planned return to training
April 14 – Real Sociedad have abandoned plans to resume training in times of a global health crisis following an intervention from Spanish authorities.