Football
CAF warns COSAFA ahead of presidential election
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a warning to the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) over a meeting it plans to stage with nations outside its home region, stating the get-together is “an attempt to destabilise” the continental governing body.
Zenit Arena opens its doors, cost passes $700m mark
The much-delayed Zenit Arena, a key venue for the 2018 Fifa World Cup and this year’s Confederations Cup, has staged its first event with St. Petersburg’s Deputy Governor, Igor Albin, stating it will now come at a cost of around 43 billion rubles (€679.5m/$729.2m).
CASE STUDY | Lega Serie B’s social media strategy
In-depth interview with Federico Smanio, head of digital and fan relations at Italian football's Lega Serie B, who explains the organisation's social media strategy, which is hindered by regulations preventing it from publishing match videos on social feeds.
LaLiga signs partnership to tap into Mexican market
LaLiga, the organising body of the top two divisions of Spanish football, has furthered its efforts to connect with its international fan base by agreeing a partnership with Mexican agency Global W.
Messi commits to Adidas with contract extension
Argentinian football superstar Lionel Messi has signed a long-term extension to his endorsement partnership with German sportswear giant Adidas.
Wada slams lack of drug-testing in Spanish football
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has expressed its concern after it emerged that no valid drug-testing has taken place in Spanish football during the past 11 months.
Uefa to introduce term limits as reform measures approved
The Executive Committee of European football’s governing body Uefa has today (Thursday) approved a series of governance reforms, including the introduction of term limits for its senior executives for the first time.
Saudi Arabia moves forward with football privatisation drive
Jadwa Investment, a Saudi Arabia-based, privately-owned investment bank, has reportedly been appointed to provide assistance to a number of Saudi Professional Football League clubs as they seek to become privatised entities.
Qatar spending $500m a week on World Cup preparations, says minister
Qatar’s Finance Minister has revealed that the country is spending close to $500m (€469m) a week on infrastructure projects to prepare for its staging of football’s Fifa World Cup in 2022.
The secret fan | PSG v Monaco, Ligue 1
Fan engagement consultant Mark Bradley visits the Parc des Princes for Paris Saint-Germain v AS Monaco in French football's Ligue 1.
Real Madrid lining up lucrative image rights partnership
Spanish LaLiga football club Real Madrid has reached an agreement in principle worth around €500m ($537m) with US private equity investment firm Providence Equity Partners for its global internet image rights, according to El Confidencial.
Fifa probe set to uncover more crimes – report
An internal investigation of world football’s governing body, Fifa, has detailed wrongdoing beyond the corruption alleged last year by US prosecutors, according to Bloomberg.
Russia ups World Cup budget, MegaFon lands telco contract
Russia has today (Monday) announced it will increase government spending on the 2018 Fifa World Cup by 19.1 billion rubles (€298.6m/$320.6m), while telecommunications company MegaFon has won a contract to deliver infrastructure for the national team football tournament.
LaLiga seeks to close financial gap to Premier League
LaLiga, the organising body of the top two divisions of Spanish football, has said it expects the top tier to come close to matching the financial performance of the English Premier League by 2020.
Champions League final set for Baku or Madrid in 2019
Baku’s Olympic Stadium and the future home of Spanish LaLiga club Atletico Madrid will contest the hosting rights for the 2018-19 Uefa Champions League final, European football’s governing body announced today (Friday).
Ayre to make early exit in Liverpool management reshuffle
English Premier League football club Liverpool has announced a shake-up of its senior management that will see chief executive Ian Ayre make an early exit to take up a role at German 2.Bundesliga outfit 1860 Munich.
Fifa joins forces with Sportradar to tackle corruption in football
Sports and betting-related services company Sportradar has further bolstered its portfolio of partners by agreeing a deal with world football’s governing body, Fifa.
Roma hit by fresh blow to new stadium project
Italian Serie A football club AS Roma has suffered a new blow in its quest to build a new stadium after being told by the city council to amend plans for the project.