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.
France 2019: Cameroon and Nigeria squeeze through but Chile barred from progression
June 21 – Cameroon dramatically snatched an injury-time winner on Thursday to beat New Zealand 2-1 and reach the last 16 of the women’s World Cup, where they will face England.
Fan engagement platform Tokabot wins Hype Capital funding
June 21 – Tokabot, a tracker that monitors and collects data on where sports fans are most digitally active, has received seed funding from HYPE Capital
Platini arrest: Detail of French investigation and Qatar focus revealed
June 20 – More detail is emerging of the 15-hour interview of Michel Platini by France’s Central Office for Combating Corruption and Financial and Tax Crimes (OCLCIFF).
CAF’s desperate call for help. FIFA to parachute in Samoura to govern Africa
By Osasu Obayiuwana
June 20 – The executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), in what is an unprecedented act in the global game, passed a motion on Wednesday to ask FIFA, the world governing body, to directly participate in the running of its day-to-day financial and administrative affairs.
France 2019: Argentina shock Scots with last gasp comeback as VAR changes game
June 20 – Argentina pulled off an unprecedented women’s World Cup fightback from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Scotland on Wednesday with a twice-taken stoppage-time penalty courtesy of the video assistant referee system which ultimately broke the Scots’ hearts as they were eliminated in cruellest of circumstances.
LaLiga and AFDP Global combine to educate youth in Zaatari refugee camp
June 20 – LaLiga has implemented a socio-educational programme at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, linking up with AFDP Global, the international football social enterprise, to help enhance the quality of life of young refugees using football as a tool for change.
Slow start but CAF’s Pre-AFCON get Egypt 2019 on the road
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar in Cairo, Egypt
June 19 – Media were kept waiting and wondering for 40 minutes in Egypt for the pre-AFCON 2019 press conference in Cairo Stadium. CAF Assistant General Secretary for Football development Anthony Baffoe eventually showed up to get the press show on the road.
Sala crash: British police arrest pilot on ‘suspicion of manslaughter’ charge
June 20 – In an unexpected twist over the tragic death of Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala who lost his life when a light aircraft carrying him to Cardiff two days after he signed for the club crashed into the English Channel, a 64-year-old man – who reports say is a pilot – has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Mbappé scents a deal and brings PSG along for the ride
June 19 – Just as PSG boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi was announcing a crackdown on the cult of the playboy personality at his club, it was announced that men’s skincare brand, Bulk Homme, had signed a sponsorship deal driven by the club’s now biggest star Kylian Mbappé.
France 2019 sparks talk of women’s pro league in Scotland
June 19 – Scotland’s World Cup campaign in France might be on a knife edge, but Ian Maxwell, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association (SFA) has said a full-time professional women’s league could be created in Scotland following the impact of the Women’s World Cup.