By Samindra Kunti in Rio de Janeiro
July 7 – Argentina star Lionel Messi slammed Brazil and Conmebol for “corruption” after enduring a torrid end to the Copa America. He boycotted the medal ceremony in the third-place match to drive home his point.
July 7 – China’s commitment to football has been reinforced in the women’s game with Alipay committing to a $145 million 10-year investment in the women’s game in the country.
July 5 – With online bookmakers and Spanish LaLiga clubs speed dating to sponsorships almost daily, 1xBet has announced a five-year sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona.
July 5 – FIFA has gone on the attack following stinging criticism of its alleged lack of action to deal with the scourge of sexual abuse pervading the women’s game.
July 5 – With a six-point plan fans groups of Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool have joined forces to urge UEFA to improve logistics for major European finals. Last season’s all-English European club finals were a logistical nightmare for fans in terms of travel and accommodation.
July 5 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has postponed a decision to select either the Indian Super League or the I-League as the country’s top league, in favour of maintaining the current top-tier status for both leagues for the next two or three years.
July 5 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he is “living in peace” despite his ban from the world game but has accused his critics, notably his successor Gianni Infantino, of showing “no respect” for his 41 years at the organisation including 17 in charge.
July 5 – LaLiga’s Sevilla have announced plans to expand their Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium.
July 4 – Footballing tensions in the Middle East have flared up again making FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s comments at the ‘Peace to Prosperity’ workshop in Bahrain look even more absurd than they did at the time of the summit at the end of June.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 4 – Afghanistan women’s coach Kelly Lindsey, one of those who blew the lid on sexual abuse by the country’s federation chief and others, has blasted FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of not doing nearly far enough to stamp out the scourge.
July 4 – After weeks of speculation, Chelsea have finally appointed their former midfielder Frank Lampard as their manager on a three-year deal.
July 4 – Uganda are the latest African country to strike over non-payment of performance bonuses after a training session ahead of their last-16 African Cup of Nations tie against Senegal was called off.
July 4 – FIFA has held the first meeting of its Professional Women’s Football Task Force which aims to bring together women’s football stakeholders to influence decisions on the growth of the women’s professional game.
July 4 – Manchester United has initiated a two-pronged brand offensive in the Chinese market, annoucing an interactive ‘Experience centre’ which it will roll out across the country, as well as a dedicated Chinese language app.
July 4 – European champions the Netherlands reached their first Women’s World Cup final on Wednesday with a 1-0 win after extra time over Sweden.