Barca get bookie backing from 1xBet in 5-year deal
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.
FIFA attacks Lindsey in bid to take the moral high ground on sexual abuse
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.
English fan clubs lobby UEFA to rethink European club final venues and pricing
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.
Patel opts to maintain ISL and I-League top tier structure for short term
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.
Blatter serving his time ‘peacefully’, but wants disrespectful Gianni to give his watches back
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.
Sevilla look to add third tier to Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium
July 5 – LaLiga’s Sevilla have announced plans to expand their Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium.
Palestine forced to postpone Cup Final after Israeli refuse 31 visa applications
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.
FIFA happy to count WWC cash but they are not doing enough to stop sexual abuse, says Lindsey
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.
Lampard quits Derby to take over from Sarri at Chelsea
July 4 – After weeks of speculation, Chelsea have finally appointed their former midfielder Frank Lampard as their manager on a three-year deal.
Ugandans are latest AFCON team to refuse to play over non-payment
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.
FIFA’s European-weighted women’s task force holds first powwow
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.
Man Utd engages its 100m Chinese fans with ‘Experience’ centre and localised app
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.
Dutch beat Sweden in extra time to set up France2019 final against US
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.
Liverpool Women to tour US pre-season with Klopp’s men’s team
July 4 – Liverpool FC Women will travel with Jurgen Klopp’s men’s team on their pre-season US tour for the first time later this month.
DFL and Vodafone to use 5G and new app to enhance data for fans
July 4 – Vodafone and Germany’s DFL are linking up to deliver 5G technology to a Bundesliga stadium for the first time and to launch a real time app that will speed up the delivery of match information to fans without buffering or non-connection issues.