Georgia: Women's football strategy - Your Time is Now

The Georgian Football Federation (GFF), in cooperation with UEFA experts, has devised a four-year strategy for the development of women’s football, titled Your Time Is Now.

IFAB advisory panels recommend making five-substitute option permanent

Various key footballing matters and proposals for potential Law changes were the focus of discussions at today’s FIFA-chaired virtual meeting of The IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels (FAP-TAP), at which particular attention was devoted to the temporary amendment to Law 3 – The Players.

Statement from NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr on Kyle Beach

National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) Executive Director Don Fehr issued the following statement today:

“Kyle Beach has been through a horrific experience and has shown true courage in telling his story. There is no doubt that the system failed to support him in his time of need, and we are part of that system.

GLMS Monitoring and Intelligence Q3 Report 2021

Influential IOC member highlights sporting risks of biennial World Cup

Mustapha Berraf, first-vice president of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, has raised further concerns about staging a football World Cup every two years.

2021 Suspicious Betting Trends in Global Football Report

Stats Perform Integrity and Starlizard Integrity Services have released their fourth annual Suspicious Betting Trends in Global Football Report. The report aims to provide fellow stakeholders in the sports integrity community with a significant and informative overview of current trends in suspicious football betting.

Renewal of UCI Athletes’ Commission: Flavia Zuber and Patrick Schnetzer will represent indoor cycling

WADA President calls on Governments to implement sanction framework for UNESCO’s International Convention Against Doping in Sport

The President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Witold Bańka, was in Paris today to address the 8^th Session of the Conference of Parties to the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport (Convention) being held from 26-28 October 2021. The Convention, which is the legal framework under which Governments can address anti-doping issues, is the second most successful in the history of UNESCO, in terms of the pace of ratification, with only four countries of the world yet to Register.

FIFPRO to host football governance forum in Brussels

• With major decisions ahead, event brings together player unions and leagues
• FIFPRO’s Jonas Baer-Hoffmann to call for urgent remodeling of football governance
• Premier League, Eredivisie and Superliga among stakeholders participating

WTA’s Mental Health & Wellness: Committed to enhancing an athlete's well-being

With mental health at the forefront of sporting conversations, the WTA’s Mental Health & Wellness department (MH&W) is committed to enhancing an athlete’s well-being through education, training and individual consultation and support.

ITA Chair addresses National Olympic Committees at ANOC General Assembly

Dr Valérie Fourneyron, the chair of the ITA Foundation Board, was honoured to address National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and representatives of the international sports movement at the 25th ANOC General Assembly. the focus was on the successful cooperation in the implementation of the independent anti-doping programme at the Olympic Games in Tokyo that the ITA had managed, the upcoming winter games in Beijing and increased cooperation regarding major continental events.

Leaked email shows unvaccinated players may be able to compete at Australian Open

A leaked email sent to WTA players has said that unvaccinated players may be able to travel to the country and compete after 14 days quarantine, contradicting advice from the Australian government.

Immigration minister Alex Hawke recently said unvaccinated players and those who would not reveal their vaccination status would not be allowed to enter Australia and therefore unable to compete in the Australian Open, the state of Victoria, where the tournament takes place, requires all professional athletes to be vaccinated to compete.

WADA President emphasizes important role of National Olympic Committees in speech to the Association of National Olympic Committees

Yesterday, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President, Witold Bańka, delivered a speech to the 25^th General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) held in Crete, Greece.

Speaking to the assembled delegates from the world’s 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), Mr. Bańka emphasized the importance of the role of NOCs in anti-doping.

RFU announces bid to host Rugby World Cup in 2025

Since England last hosted the RWC in 2010 and won it in 2014, women’s rugby has grown exponentially with World Rugby stating the women’s game is the single biggest opportunity to grow the sport globally. 

The Red Roses are the number one ranked team in the world and the RFU has grown female participation in England from 13,000 to 40,000 registered players in clubs, with a growing pipeline of 80,000 girls playing in schools, colleges and universities.   

British para-cyclist receives three-year ban

British para-cyclist Erin McBride has been banned from all sport for a period of three years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.

“Safeguarding in Sport: Considering Subject Access Requests” webinar video is now available online

U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Coach Jamaal Daniels Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Jamaal Daniels, of Raleigh, NC, a coach in the sport of track and field, has accepted a four-year suspension for administering a prohibited substance to Paralympic track and field athlete Desmond Jackson, and subsequently making false statements to USADA during its investigation.

NFL teams can now interview head coaching candidates during last two weeks of season

FIFA awards key media rights to FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ in the Netherlands

FIFA has awarded free-to-air media rights to key matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ to public service broadcaster NOS in the Netherlands. NOS will show twenty-five matches of the tournament, including the opening match, any Dutch national team matches and the key matches of the knock-out stage on its leading NPO channels. NOS has previously achieved extremely high audiences for women’s football, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™, the final of which was followed by around 5.5 million viewers (with 88% audience market share).

NFLPA Launches Accelerator, DRIVEN, to Help Close Diversity Gap in Licensing

To address the diversity gap in licensing, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) today unveiled a new business accelerator – Driven. This program is committed to advocating for greater inclusion of diverse entrepreneurs and their consumer products while empowering them as agents of change, moving them off the sideline and providing them with a seat and voice at the table.

NFL plans to enact new enhancements to Rooney Rule ahead of next hiring cycle

The NFL plans to inform owners at the league's fall meeting Tuesday of new enhancements to the Rooney Rule for the upcoming hiring cycle, including mandating at least one in-person interview with an external minority candidate for head coach and general manager jobs, per sources.

Extreme E welcomes UK Government investment for Scotland race

Extreme E today welcomes the announcement by the UK Government that it intends to invest £1million in its proposed off-road race on the Outer Hebrides in 2022.

World Athletics approves the applications of three Russians to compete internationally as neutral athletes

Commissioner Roger Goodell: Washington Football Team owner Daniel Snyder has been held accountable

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday expressed his stance that the league appropriately handled the review and sanction of the Washington Football Team organization's improper workplace conduct.

WADA issues report from investigation into allegations regarding the National Anti-Doping Organization of Ukraine

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department has published its summary report following an investigation into allegations that the National Anti-Doping Organization of Ukraine (NADC) engaged in practices that contravened the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI).

NHLPA and NHL agree to long-term trading card license extensions with Upper Deck

The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) today announced that each have agreed to long-term extensions of their licenses with The Upper Deck Company to be the exclusive licensed manufacturer of physical trading cards. NFT trading cards will also be part of the assortment of the NHLPA- and NHL-licensed offerings from Upper Deck in the future.

The ITA asserts ADRV against Russian weightlifter Rodion Bochkov

Governance, women's football and Emirates FA Cup discussed council

Set out below is an update on the key topics discussed at our Council meeting which took place on Thursday 21 October. 

Council Membership
Our Council welcomed the following  new members who had joined since the previous meeting:
• Nuala Walsh – Inclusion Representative
• Michael Banham – Norfolk County FA
• Darius Charles – AFC Wimbledon, representing the EFL
• Emma Clarke – The FA Youth Council

The ITA asserts multiple Anti-Doping Rule Violations against Russian weightlifter Rodion Bochkov

Beijing 2022 Playbooks published

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Beijing 2022) published the first editions of the Beijing 2022 Playbooks today. 

WADA releases Guidance Document on Glucocorticoids and Therapeutic Use Exemptions

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has developed a Guidance Document on Glucocorticoids (GCs) and Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) in order to assist anti-doping stakeholders in their understanding of new rules regarding injectable routes of administration of GCs coming into force under the 2022 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List).

China cuts NBA broadcasts after Boston Celtic Enes Kanter called for Tibetan independence

China has removed broadcasts of NBA games after Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter called for China to give Tibet independence.

Kanter posted a video in which he said “Brutal dictator of China, Xi Jinping, I have a message for you and your henchmen. Under the Chinese government's brutal rule, Tibetan people's basic rights and freedoms are non-existent.” Following the video being posted Chinese platform Tencent cut the broadcast of the Celtics game against the New York Knicks.

65 suspicious betting alerts reported by IBIA in Q3 2021

Another 57 people linked to football and sport evacuated from Afghanistan

Following another round of complex negotiations, FIFA can confirm that it has supported Qatar with the evacuation from Afghanistan of a second group of refugees linked to women’s football and basketball. A total of 57 individuals, mostly women and children, safely landed in Doha on Wednesday, 20 October, on a Qatar Airways charter flight. Last Thursday, 14 October, FIFA and Qatar successfully evacuated almost 100 members of the football family from Afghanistan to Doha, including female players. FIFA would like to express its sincere thanks to the government of Qatar for its support in facilitating extensive discussions and ensuring the safe passage of these individuals, deemed to have been at the highest risk.

Second Spectrum and Genius Sports Expand Partnerships with Danish Football to Include Live Data Tracking & Analytics

• Second Spectrum appointed the exclusive Official Tracking Data Provider of Danish Superliga and 1^st Division
• Genius Sports has the non-exclusive official data rights to the Danish Superliga through long-running partnership with the European Leagues
• Second Spectrum was acquired by Genius Sports in May 2021

New women's football strategy in Liechtenstein

In its new national football strategy, entitled ‘Gemeinsam.2026’ (Together.2026), the Liechtenstein Football Association (LFV) has made it clear that women’s football is now ready for the next stage in its development.

ITA welcomes WADA global and regional leaders to discuss complementary actions for clean sport

In order to strengthen the worldwide complementary activities of the ITA and WADA and to discuss concrete joint actions in favour of clean sport, ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen welcomed WADA global and regional leaders to ITA's Lausanne headquarters last week. Next to a deeper exchange on specific projects, both organisations recognised the importance of creating increased awareness of each organisation’s respective roles and responsibilities by various stakeholders.

Macedonian Esports Federation - IESF's Member Nation

To succeed in our mission to create a united World Esport we need really big support and the biggest support we get is from our 109 Member nations, national federations from all around the world!

It’s really important to show you who are our Member Nations!

Today we are presenting the Macedonian Esports Federation!

Representatives of players and leagues sign football governance manifesto - FIFPRO World Players' Union

As football governance enters a critical phase, FIFPRO and European Leagues have announced a manifesto to embed collective governance standards and agreements throughout the professional game.

Swimming Australia Appoint Eugenie Buckley as CEO

Swimming Australia has appointed experienced sports administrator Eugenie Buckley as CEO of the organisation, effective immediately.

Currently working in an interim capacity, Buckley has been leading the organisation for the past two months. Her strategic vision and action oriented approach impressed the Board, while the Nominations Committee, who conducted the interview process, found her extensive knowledge of the sports landscape and the people first philosophy she outlined in her interviews showed her to be the lead candidate. 

CAF Executive Committee receives comprehensive AFCON preparation update focusing on infrastructure readiness

FIFA President calls on global football community to show solidarity with Afghan refugees

• FIFA President thanks Qatar for aiding evacuation from Afghanistan of over 150 refugees, among them female football players and their families

• Gianni Infantino visited compound in Doha to meet evacuees, including displaced players and Afghanistan Football Federation staff members

• FIFA President calls on other nations to assist

UK Government backs RFU World Cup 2025 bid

Independent complaint handling process confirmed for Football Australia

Sport Integrity Australia and Football Australia have today confirmed the details of an independent complaints and reports handling, investigation, and disciplinary framework. 

Under the framework, Sport Integrity Australia will consider complaints and reports on a range of allegations including abuse, bullying, child abuse, child grooming, endangering the safety of a child, harassment, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, victimisation, and vilification at the elite levels of Australian football.

Lahiru Kumara and Liton Das Kumar Fined 25% and 15% of their Match Fees respectively for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

In the recently concluded Group B, Super 12 game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Sunday in Sharjah, Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara and Bangladeshi batter Liton Das Kumar were both fined for breaching level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

iNADO feedback to the Review of WADA Governance Reforms

The Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO) has reviewed the second interim report of the Working Group (WG) on the review of WADA Governance Reforms and taken the opportunity to provide feedback in line with the considerations of adequate representation for those bound by the Code, independence in the decision-making process, transparency, and efficiency.

Players in Australia welcome new deal about working conditions

British para-cyclist receives three-year ban

British para-cyclist Erin McBride has been banned from all sport for a period of three years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.

Sport Resolutions’ 2020/21 Annual Report is ready to view

Paralympic Track & Field Athlete Desmond Jackson Receives 14-Month Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that an independent arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association (AAA) has concluded the case of Paralympic track and field athlete Desmond Jackson, of Durham, N.C., and determined that Jackson should receive a 20-month sanction for his anti-doping rule violation, which USADA then reduced to 14 months based on Jackson’s substantial assistance. The decision comes after the facts of the case were presented and fully argued at an evidentiary hearing on September 23, 2021.