China sends two more football execs to jail for corruption
August 20 – China’s crackdown on corrupt football officials has intensified with yet more jail sentences meted out.
August 21 – The Roshn Saudi League 2024-25 season kicks off tomorrow with a number of new big-name faces and a series of new league rules designed to protect the development of Saudi qualified players.
August 21 – The Indonesian Government is investing IDR 2.87 trillion ($175 million) to upgrade 21 football stadiums across the nation, boosted by further cash from the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI).
August 21 – Sports architecture firm Populous has unveiled its design for the $390 million Aramco Stadium project, which is set to become a key venue in Saudi Arabia’s 2034 FIFA World Cup.
China jails two more former football officials for 11 years for corruption
August 19 – China has jailed yet another leading official for bribery as the crackdown into football corruption shows no sign of abating.
Expanded AFC Champions League Two sees 32 clubs from 24 nations grouped for Sept. KO
August 19 – While focus was on the inaugural draw for the AFC’s rebranded and reformatted Champions League Elite competition, the AFC has also drawn the groups for the expanded Champions League Two.
AFC draws League Stage ties for revamped Champions League Elite
August 16 – The AFC today held the draw for its reconfigured two-tier Champions League club competitions which will see the expanded AFC Champions League Elite open with a Swiss style ‘League Stage’ for the first time.
AFC ‘shocked’ by Israel’s detention of Palestine FA president Rajoub
August 15 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has said it was “shocked” by the border detention by Israeli forces of Palestine FA president Jibril Rajoub and has called for an “immediate resolution”.
Israelis briefly detain Palestine FA boss Jibril Rajoub at border ordering him to return for ‘questioning’
August 14 – Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestine FA and the Palestine Olympic Association, and the country’s sports minister was detained yesterday by Israeli forces at the Karama/King Hussein Bridge border crossing with Jordan on his return from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
TECNO connects with AFC for its revamped club competitions
August 14 – The AFC has unveiled international technology brand TECNO as a global partner in a one-season deal covering the AFC’s 2024/5 club competitions – the AFC Champions League Elite, the Women’s Champions League, and the Champions League Two.
AFC prepares draws for new two-tier Champions League club competitions
August 12 – The draw for the top two tiers of the reformatted and rebranded Asian Champions League competitions will be held on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Players strike at Vietnamese club Thanh Hoa over $640K in unpaid wages
August 8 – Players at a leading Vietnamese club have gone on strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses, a rare move in Asian football.
Red Bull buys into Asia with acquisition of Omiya Ardija in Japan
August 7 – Red Bull has announced a new addition to its growing football club portfolio, turning to the Japanese J-League as it branches out into club ownership in the Asian region for the first time.
Man City sell Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for £81 million
August 6 – Manchester City and Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal for Argentina striker Julian Alvarez worth up to £82 million (€95 million) as the 24-year-old looks to complete a move to the Spanish capital.
Qataris launch initiative to boost inclusion in sport in Asia and MEA regions
August 2 – As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games enter their second week, a new partnership has been launched by the Qatar Foundation, Education Above All Foundation, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) aiming to use sports to promote equality, inclusion, and education in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
