Benfica’s two goal lead dampens Dynamo Kiev’s Champions League dreams
August 18 – Benfica defeated Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 to take a major step towards Champions League qualification and dash the dreams of the Ukrainian club.
World Football
Euro football market hits €27.6bn in revenue. Big 5 leagues account for €15.6bn
August 18 – In the dark depths of the covid pandemic football clubs were forced to lock out their fans. But even without match day revenues, the European football market grew by 10% (€2.4billion) in 2020/21 to €27.6 billion.
Viborg’s African players fail to get UK visas in time for Conference League play off at West Ham
August 18 – Once again, the scourge of Brexit has had a negative effect on European club football.
England’s Mead, Germany’s Oberdorf and Spain’s Putellas battle for UEFA Player of the Year gong
August 17 – Beth Mead (England – Arsenal Women), Lena Oberdorf (Germany – VfL Wolfsburg), and Alexia Putellas (Spain – FC Barcelona) at the final three nominees in the running for the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year.
FIFA agrees to cancel disrupted Brazil/Argentina 2022 qualifier, but fines both nations
August 17 – The suspended World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina has finally been cancelled officially after Brazil argued the risks were too great ahead of the finals in Qatar.
Auckland FC secure 10th appearance at CWC with 10th OFC Champions League win
August 17 – New Zealand’s Auckland City FC have booked a ticket for the Club World Cup after defeating Tahiti’s AS Venus 3-0 to clinch a 10th OFC Champions League.
Pinnick says he will not run for third term as Nigerian federation president
August 17 – The embattled president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick – one of the most colourful and controversial figures in African football – has announced he will not seek re-election for a third term in office.
FIFA puts El Salvador under control of normalisation committee after government raid FA
August 17 –Salvadoran football is in crisis with FIFA having appointed a normalisation committee to run the administration of the Salvadoran Football Association (FESFUT) after government intervention removed president Hugo Carillio and the entire FESFUT executive committee.
Guatemala to host 2023 Concacaf U-17 finals, pre-qualification groups start end August
August 17 – Guatemala will host the finals of the 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship, February 11 – 26 in Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala.
UEFA report says women’s club game could grow to €686m in revenue by 2033
August 16 – A UEFA report into the potential for the women’s club and league game in Europe finds there could be a six-fold increase in commercial value to €686 million by 2033.
US women close in on €24m pay settlement as judge clears way for final approval
August 16 – The proposed $24 million equal pay settlement between the US women’s national team players and the US Soccer Federation has been given a preliminary thumbs up by a federal judge, who scheduled a December 5 hearing for final approval.
Promoted Premier League clubs have squad value topping €500m, Fulham lead way
August 15 – Of the 14 promoted clubs starting the new season in Europe’s Big 5 leagues, the promoted Premier League clubs have a combined squad value of more than double the other leagues.
Prosecutor says Mendy considered women ‘disposable’
August 15 – The trial of Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy began today (Monday) over rape allegations, with the prosecutor arguing that the French player considered his victims “disposable”.
SAFA pay women’s win bonuses but sports ministry’s money missing
August 15 – Danny Jordaan and the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) have confirmed that newly crowned African women’s champions Banyana Banyana have received a bonus of $24,500.
LaLiga ready for kick off but still no sign of Lewandowski to rival Benzema
August 12 – As Liga gets under way this weekend, the question on everyone’s lips is still unanswered: when will Barcelona be allowed to field their new signings after a summer spending spree?