WeeklySA_AdminFOOTBALLERS UNION SUE FIFA
Footballers’ unions have acted on their threat to sue FIFA over the sport’s “unworkable” calendar, after addition of 32-team Club World Cup. Europe’s highest court will be asked to rule whether the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights – including Article 5 which prohibits slavery and forced labour – has been breached by football’s global governing body in its decision to introduce a 32-team Club World Cup.
Maheta Molango, the chief executive of the English players’ union, the Professional Footballers’ Association, insists football cannot be “exempt” from rules around workers’ rights. His organisation, along with the French union UNFP and the European division of world players’ union FIFPRO, has submitted a claim to the Brussels Court of Commerce.
NADAL FOR OLYMPICS
Two-time champion Rafael Nadal will not play at Wimbledon this year in order to focus on the Olympics in Paris. The 38-year-old Spaniard said he will compete in a clay-court event in Bastad, Sweden, as preparation for the Olympic tennis tournament which begins on 27 July.
Wimbledon, where Nadal won in 2008 and 2010, starts on 1 July. Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, said he was “saddened” to be missing the “great atmosphere” of Wimbledon, which “will always be in my heart”.
FURY BACK IN GYM
Tyson Fury says he is “back in the gym” preparing for his rematch with undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on 21 December in Saudi Arabia. The English fighter suffered the first defeat of his pro career last month, losing a split decision to Ukraine’s Usyk. Fury, 35, says he is “relishing” the opportunity to seek revenge and posted a video of him training on a heavy bag on his Instagram. “I’ve done everything in boxing but I ain’t come back from a loss,” Fury said.
DOWNS QUARTET GRADUATES
The South African Football Association (SAFA) hosted the first CAF A License Coaching course since 2017, which kicked off in November 2023. Following the readmission off the course by the Confederation of African Football, SAFA granted an opportunity to 25 tacticians in various divisions, who were looking to boost their coaching credentials. Among the 25 graduates were four Mamelodi Sundowns coaches. Downs Legend and M-Tigers head coach, Godfrey Sapula, the Diski Team assistant coach and legend, Micheal Manzini, U17 head coach, Tiro van Rooyen and the Academy goalkeeper coach, Marcus Mashilo earned their credentials at the weekend, after seven months of hard work.
RASSIE NAMES BOKS SQUAD
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting squad of 35 players for the team’s first official training camp of the season, which starts in Pretoria on Monday where the focus will be on the opening Test of the season against Wales on 22 June. The Boks are in for a blockbuster 2024 season kicking off later this month against Wales in London. The squad includes 11 uncapped players and a cohort of players from the 2023 and 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning squads.
The uncapped players in the squad are Jordan Hendrikse (the brother of Jaden Hendrikse), Quan Horn, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg (all Lions players), Phepsi Buthelezi, Siya Masuku, Ethan Hooker (from the Sharks), Ben-Jason Dixon, Sacha Feinberg-Mgomezulu, Neethling Fouche and Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers), who were outstanding in their respective competitions this season.
BUCS WELCOME ENGLISH STRIKER
Orlando Pirates welcomed English striker Tremaine Eastmond for a trial at the club earlier this year. The club were left impressed by him however reports suggest a final decision hasn’t been taken on whether he’ll be signed or not!
According to the latest transfer gossip, the former Burnley academy star will travel with Pirates to Europe for their pre-season camp. Jose Riveiro and the Orlando Pirates management team will only take a final decision on Eastmond after their clash against LaLiga side Sevilla. According to reputable local publication Soccer Laduma, Tremaine Eastmond will travel with the Buccaneers to Spain for their July pre-season camp.
