Serie A’s relegation-threatened Genoa put up for sale
May 15 – Genoa, Italy’s oldest professional football club which even has the word cricket in its official name, will be put up for sale, the Serie A outfit said in a statement.
Exclusive: CAF in crisis – Ahmad on corruption allegations; Bility on abuse of power
By Osasu Obayiuwana
May 14 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad has come under increasing African and international criticism from the media and even within his own executive committee. Osasu Obayiuwana separately interviewed Ahmad and one of the leading dissident voices within CAF, Musa Bility. The full interviews are printed here.
Man City face enforced Champions League exit over alleged FFP breaches
By Andrew Warshaw
May 14 – Amid the euphoria of retaining their Premier League title, Manchester City have been brought crashing down to earth with reports that they could be banned from the Champions league – the trophy they crave more than any.
Tebas argues Champions League changes would endanger European leagues
May 14 – Spanish league president Javier Tebas has once again come out fighting over plans to overhaul the Champions League warning that the changes will seriously affect competitive balance in his country and beyond.
Doping: Does existing sports law have a role in the fast-growing esports environment?
By Andrew Warshaw
May 14 – To what extent does doping infiltrate esports, a craze that has enjoyed phenomenal growth in recent years with prize pools of several million dollars and FIFA even organising their own eWorld Cup?
AFC denies it has cancelled beIN’s TV deal, as rights battle over Saudi rages on
By Paul Nicholson
May 14 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has said that it has not cancelled its TV rights agreement with beIN Sports and that the broadcaster, it said in a statement, “remains a valued commercial partner of the AFC”.
Financial finagling forces FIGC to condemn Palermo to Serie C
May 14 – Palermo have been relegated to Serie C by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) because of financial irregularities, a decision that crushes their hopes of securing promotion to Italy’s top division.
MLS lands on planet Pluto with free streaming channel
May 14 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has opened up a new broadcast content channel with the announcement of the launch on the Pluto TV free streaming service of its own channel (Ch. 203).
Breaking boundaries: AFC appoints first female refereeing team to men’s club
May 14 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is making history in the region by announcing that for the first time an all-female officiating trio will take charge of a men’s continental club game.
China’s LD Sports ties launch into record Southampton shirt sponsorship
May 14 – hard on the heels of the club renewing the sponsorship of Virgin media for is sleeve position, Premier League Southampton have announced new Chinese media business LD Sports as its main shirt sponsor.
Man City clinch Premier League title and set sights on a historic treble
By Andrew Warshaw
May 13 – The most thrilling title-chasing season since the Premier League was created in 1992 was finally concluded on Sunday when Manchester City held their nerve to retain the trophy on the final day and condemn Liverpool to second place despite them losing only one league game all campaign.
Swiss AG Lauber denies any wrong-doing in his secret Infantino meetings
May 13 – Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber has been forced on to the attack following reports that an independent disciplinary investigation has been launched into his conduct relating to a series of private meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
FIFA bans Pogba’s agent Raiola from trading in the summer transfer window
May 13 – One of football’s best-known super agents, Mino Raiola, has had a three-month ban on working in his native Italy extended to a global sanction by FIFA.
Injured, abusive, punchy: Neymar hit with another ‘severe’ 3-match ban
May 13 – The colourful and controversial career of Brazilian superstar Neymar on and off the pitch has been further underlined after the Paris St Germain forward was handed a three-game ban for lashing out at a fan following last month’s French Cup final defeat to Rennes.
Women’s World Cup trophy arrives in France for 9-city tour
May 13 – With less than a month to go before the Women’s World Cup June 7 kick-off in France, the trophy is the first arrival in country and will begin a national tour.