Bundesliga attendances lead European leagues, Bundesliga 2 shows growth
June 25 – Germany’s Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 have reported that 18,885,620 tickets were sold for matches in the 2018-19 season – the second highest figure on record.
Olympique Lyonnais buys into basketball with Asvel club
June 25 – OL Groupe, owner of Olympique Lyonnais’ men’s and women’s teams, is expanding into basketball with the acquisition of 25% of Asvel.
UEFA sign sports integrity co-operation with SIGA
June 25 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has signed its first co-operation agreement with a football confederation, agreeing with UEFA “to encourage dialogue aimed at safeguarding the long-term integrity of the game in Europe.”
A risk worth taking, says Moggio. Gold Cup stamps its identity on global calendar
By Paul Nicholson in Cleveland
June 24 – The Gold Cup in the US has now reached the end of the second round of games in what is a helter skelter schedule taking in 17 stadia in 15 cities – 13 in the US. Initially considered a risk with more teams and venues than ever before, the tournament has emphatically forced its way into the top tier of national team competitions in what is perhaps the busiest summer of global international competition ever.
Cameroon disgrace women’s World Cup with shameful display of petulance
June 24 – Host nation France squeezed past Brazil 2-1 after extra time to reach the last eight of the women’s World Cup but the story of the day was elsewhere as England beat Cameroon 3-0 in a match marred by yet more controversial VAR decisions that infuriated the Africans who at one point refused to restart the game.
Brazil and Argentina progress to last eight of Copa America
By Samindra Kunti in Sao Paulo, Brazil
June 24 – Brazil crushed Peru 5-0 after a devastating first half to ensure a spot in the last eight at the Copa America on home soil. Rivals Argentina will join the hosts in the quarter-finals at the expense of Qatar after a 2-0 win over the Asian champions.
India falling in favour of ISL as country’s top tier league
June 24 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has said its executive committee will decide future of the domestic game and the on-going division between the I-League and the Indian Super League. The governing body is expected to name the ISL as its top-tier league.
France 2019: Nigerian women stage sit-in to force FA to pay bonuses
June 23 – Nigeria’s players briefly refused to leave the team hotel after their elimination from the women’s World Cup on Saturday in the latest protest over pay bonuses.
Arkema expand in women’s game with naming rights to French top flight
June 24 – French chemicals firm Arkema has taken a deeper step into the women’s game in France by picking up the title sponsor of Division 1 Féminine in a three-year deal.
SIGA to host Special Session on Female Leadership in Paris, June 28
June 24 – SIGA is to a host a Special Session addressing the importance of Female Leadership in Sport at the Sorbonne University, June 28.
Commisso plans Fiorentina stadium upgrade as they head to US for pre-season
June 24 – New Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso has wasted no time getting his feet under the desk at the Serie A club saying he will refurbish the stadium.
Penalty rethink: No yellow cards for keepers who come off their line
June 24 – Amid widespread condemnation, a new rule that states goalkeepers at the Women’s World Cup must be cautioned for stepping off their goal line at penalties has been suspended.
Exclusive: CAF exco did not agree to cede control to FIFA or Samoura, says Tenga
By Osasu Obayiuwana
June 21 – With barely a day after a June 20 joint declaration by FIFA and CAF – African football’s governing body – that there was “unanimous agreement” by CAF’s executive committee, to accept the direct involvement of the world body in Africa’s football affairs, a member of that committee says no such agreement exists.
Ceferin refuses to be railroaded into support of Infantino’s move on Africa
By Paul Nicholson
June 20 – The corruption-riddled, ungoverned FIFA-fiefdom that Africa has become has now impacted on the offices of the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino. In an act of demagoguery that may come to define his leadership, and in order to protect his own powerbase, FIFA has stepped in to take charge of Africa.
Crossing the line. Has VAR overstepped the mark on penalty taking?
By Andrew Warshaw
A new rule agreed by football’s lawmakers in the spring which gained little publicity at the time has suddenly burst into controversy within days of taking effect and threatens to cause widespread consternation across the game.