Olympic chaos as Morocco-Argentina opener marred by violence
July 25 – The men’s Olympic football tournament got off to a violent and chaotic start Wednesday as Morocco stunned two-time gold medalist Argentina with a 2-1 win.
Israel open Olympic campaign to boos and jeers, Revivo lose ban appeal
July 25 – Israel defender Roy Revivo lost his appeal of a two-game FIFA ban at the Paris Olympics in a ruling made hours before the team’s opener against Mali which saw a high level of security and peaceful, though vocal, protest.
Canada send two home over drone scandal, FIFA opens disciplinary case
July 25 – The Canadian women’s Olympic football team have sacked an assistant coach and another staff member after New Zealand complained to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that a drone was used to spy on their training session.
ECA releases research report on transition of academy players to club first teams
July 25 – The European Club Association (ECA) has highlighted the significant challenges young players face in transitioning from academy to senior level, presenting recommendations and best practices for clubs to support their rising talents in a new report released today (Thursday).
1924-2024 Olympic football – Aux Armes!
In an extract from his new book Aux Armes! Sport and the French – an English perspective, Insideworldfootball columnist David Owen highlights the birth place of the march towards the all-conquering World Cup.
UEFA issues €230K in fines over discriminatory abuse by fans at Euro 2024
July 25 – UEFA has ordered seven national federations – almost all them from the Balkan region – to pay fines totalling €230,000 for racist and discriminatory abuse by fans at Euro 2024.
Bulgarian efbet League kicks off but three clubs warned for ‘dangerous’ playing surfaces
July 25 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has threatened three of its top tier clubs with sanctions over the quality of their pitches following the first round of the efbet League which the BFU said were endangering the health of the players.
Roma unveils designs for €1bn new stadium
July 25 – Just days after pulling out of a deal that would see the Friedkin Group acquire Premier League side Everton, vice-president Ryan Friedkin has said they will spend €1 billion on a new stadium for their Serie A club Roma, as they attempt to progress their long-sought exit from the Stadio Olimpico.
AFC and UN’s FFTG initiative jointly commit to sustainability goals
July 25 – The AFC, in collaboration with the United Nations’ (UN) Football For the Goals initiative (FFTG), yesterday completed a workshop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, designed “to clear a path” to increased collaboration over the use of football to drive social change.
Kitman Labs adds its data solutions to improving performance of Premier League match officials
July 25 – The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) group that officiates all Premier League matches has announced a new partnership with data analytics business Kitman Labs.
Auction opened for Euro 2024 final ball
July 25 – The UEFA Euro 2024 match-winning ball is being auctioned by UEFA, with all proceeds going to the UEFA Foundation for Children.
IMG lands 5-year Saudi broadcast production contract
July 25 – IMG has won the broadcast production contract for the Saudi Pro League (SPL) and Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) in a five-year partnership that will see it produce matches for the Roshn Saudi League (RSL), King’s Cup, and Saudi Super Cup, starting from the 2024-25 season.
No Olympic Truce, but Israel wants Revivo ban overturned so he can play tonight
July 24 – Israel defender Roy Revivo will have his appeal against a two-game ban heard just hours before his team’s opening game against Mali at the Paris Olympics.
UEFA formally charges Rodri and Morata for anti-British chanting and inciting crowd
July 24 – Having opened a preliminary investigation, UEFA has now charged Spain captain Álvaro Morata and midfielder Rodri with violating its “basic rules of decent conduct” over chants they made regarding the sovereignty of Gibraltar and which were a direct taunt at England.
Bournemouth secure record 2-year shirt sponsorship with Asian bookie BJ88
July 24 – Premier League AFC Bournemouth have unveiled Asian online bookmaker BJ88 as their new front-of-shirt partner in a two-year deal.