Barca embrace blockchain with €80m issue of 40m digital fan tokens at €2 each
February 13 – FC Barcelona have become the latest club to embrace blockchain technology with an agreement with Chiliz to launch a ‘Barca Fan Token’.
Pay pals: US men call on federation to ‘triple’ women’s wages
February 12 – In a significant escalation of the gender equality pay dispute in the United States, the US men’s national team has leaped to the defence of their female counterparts, urging their federation to triple the pay of the women’s team and accusing the federation of “working very hard to sell a false narrative” in an effort to limit the wages of the reigning women’s world champions.
Belgian Pro League secures new €103m TV deal but clubs battle over the cash
February 13 – The Belgian Pro League has awarded its new TV rights deal to Eleven Sports for a record €103 million in a five-year deal, but not all the clubs are happy with the proposed income distribution from the new agreement with both Antwerp and AA Gent opposing.
CAF signs 10-year deal with Egyptian government to keep HQ in Cairo
February 13 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) may be in reputational crisis over the revelations in the PwC audit, but it hasn’t stopped it from signing a 10-year hosting agreement to keep its headquarters in Egypt, in a deal that gives the regional governing body diplomatic status in the country.
Man City sought damages from UEFA over FFP investigation leaks
February 13 – Details have been published by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) revealing that Manchester City sought damages from UEFA for what the club alleged were “unlawful” leaks to the media over an inquiry into possible breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP).
UEFA and Conmebol buddy up for referee and new competition talks
February 13 – UEFA has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding with South American confederation Conmebol covering collaboration across a number of areas from education to refereeing and new competitions.
Bundesliga pushes international boundaries with launch of new eFootball series
February 13 – Germany’s Bundesliga is using eFootball to drive the league deeper into international markets with the launch of the Virtual Bundesliga International Series.
AFC Cup schedules postponed until April over coronavirus fears
February 12 – The Asian Football Confederation has been forced to postpone all AFC cup matches due to be played in East Asia until April because of concerns over the coronavirus.
Savvidis feels the heat as UEFA and FIFA prepare new delegation to enter the Greek fray
February 12 – FIFA and UEFA will be making what has become a regular trip to Athens to attempt to progress solutions to yet another Greek football crisis.
SIGA Sport Integrity Forum, New York: Montagliani joins Ceferin in speaker line-up
February 12 – Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani is to take part in a dedicated session at the 6th SIGA Sport Integrity Forum in New York on March 24.
Headbutting Italian ref given year ban
February 12 – An Italian referee has been banned for a year for losing his cool and headbutting a goalkeeper he had sent off during a minor league game.
Frustrated Klinsmann quits touchline role for board seat at Hertha
February 12 – In what is surely one of the shortest high-profile managerial stints on record, former German national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann has stepped down as Hertha Berlin’s interim head coach after just 10 weeks in charge citing a lack of support and trust.
Canal+ and beIN Sports tie knot on landmark French distribution deal
February 12 – French media giant CANAL+ Group and Qatari pay broadcaster beIN SPORTS have closed the distribution and sub-licensing deal announced last December.
InterMilan launch esports team in partnership with gaming hothouse QLASH
February 12 – InterMilan have become the latest club to set up its own esports team, signing two players in a collaboration with QLASH.
FIFA joins with FIFPro to set up $16m fund as safety net for unpaid players
February 11 – In a ground-breaking move, FIFA and FIFPro – the world players’ union – have joined forces to set up a global fund to protect players’ salaries.