MLS says it has no issue with players ‘taking a knee’
June 10 – Major League Soccer has re-iterated its support for players’ peacefully protesting by taking a knee during the National Anthem prior to matches.
Lisbon favourite to host last eight shootout to crown Champions League winners
By Andrew Warshaw
June 9 – The monstrous headache over how to complete this season’s Champions League appears to have been significantly eased with reports that Lisbon has been selected by UEFA to host a unique mini-World Cup style tournament over a fortnight in August.
FIFA to extend transfer window to October but current season must end before players move
March 9 – FIFA is reportedly poised to allow member nations to buy and sell players up until the start of October to account for the disruption caused by Covid-19.
AFC sets restart dates for Qatar 2022 qualifiers, and plans draw for youth finals
By Paul Nicholson
June 8 – Having been the first of the Confederations to lockdown football in their region as the coronavirus pandemic spread, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is slowly starting to open up, setting dates for a resumption of competition for its 2022 World Cup qualifiers as well as scheduling draws for age group competitions scheduled to take place this year.
Italians scrap Serie A women’s season after clubs and players fail to agree a way forward
June 9 – The Italian Serie A Femminile has become the latest European women’s league to be voided after the Italian federation (FIGC) announced that the competition would not be concluded and that no title will be assigned.
Norway’s stay-away superstar Hegerberg swaps Puma for new Nike deal
June 9 – Former women’s Ballon d’Or winner and Norwegian star striker Ada Hegerberg has signed a long-term deal with sportswear giant Nike.
Brazil drop bid for 2023 Women’s World Cup hosting, passing support to Colombia
June 8 – Even though the tournament is not for another three years, Brazil has withdrawn its bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, saying it cannot offer FIFA the financial assurances needed as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Everton drive new sponsor line-up with Cazoo taking shirt in £27m deal
June 9 – Premier League Everton have announced a replacement for front of shirt sponsor betting brand SportPesa. On-line car sales site Cazoo will take the premium position in a three-year deal reportedly worth £27 million.
US women stand up for ‘taking a knee’ and call for USSF rule change
June 9 – The US women’s national team has called on the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) to scrap its policy of forbidding players from ‘taking a knee’ during the national anthem in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Sterling calls for more black representation in football’s hierarchy
June 9 – England forward Raheem Sterling has lent his support to the global anti-racism protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death in the United States and says football can help by giving more black players a chance to become managers and coaches.
SIGA Strives 25: Integrity body opens mentor programme for next generation of female leaders
June 9 – The Sports Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has opened the candidature process for its Global Female Mentorship Programme for Aspiring Female Leaders in Sport.
England player, club manager…forger. Terry Fenwick implicated in Trinidad scandals
By Paul Nicholson
June 8 – Former England defender Terry Fenwick, who was rapidly ushered in as head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago national team following a change of TTFA presidency, has been caught up in the scandal of that regime having allegedly forged signatures of sponsor support for the election campaign.
FIFA defends Infantino saying there was no misconduct arising from Lauber meetings
June 8 – With report after report implicating Gianni Infantino in the official investigation into the conduct of under-fire Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber, FIFA has been forced again to respond by issuing a pointed statement defending its president and dismissing any notion of wrongdoing.
Chinese legend Hao Haidong ‘ex-communicated’ after attack on Communist Party
June 8 – In an extremely rare show of dissent against the Chinese authorities by one of its own, the country’s greatest ever footballer has openly called for the downfall of China’s ruling Communist Party and has been all but declared a “non-person” back home for his comments.
Bundesliga players take a knee to show solidarity
June 8 – For the second weekend running, Bundesliga players put on a strong show of solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement with a range of protests.