Informational/Did You Know

With fall quickly approaching, schools and colleges aren’t the only organizations trying to figure out if and when it’s appropriate for young people to return to normal activities amidst the novel coronavirus pandemic. Soccer clubs across the country are asking themselves, is it safe to play youth soccer right now?

States around the country began opening up from lockdown over the last month or two, only to see huge spikes in cases of Covid-19 across the country, especially in southern states like Texas, Florida and Arizona, a few of the hotbeds for youth soccer in America. 

Spain's health minister has expressed doubt about the prospect of spectators returning to soccer matches in September due to the threat of a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.

The government's department for sport and organizing body LaLiga had hoped to let fans back into stadiums at a reduced capacity when the new season starts in September, increasing to 50% in November before full capacity returned in January.

The Premier League said on Wednesday that the 2020 summer transfer window dates will be open for 10 weeks from July 27 and close on Oct. 5, with a domestic-only window for English Football League (EFL) clubs until Oct. 16.

The league made the announcement after all shareholders agreed on the dates. It added that the transfer window was subject to the approval of FIFA.

The window, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent late finish to the season, opens one day after the completion of the top-flight campaign.

Football's rule-making body IFAB on Wednesday said teams will be allowed to continue to use up to five substitutes next season, in a bid to cope with potential fixture congestion in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak.

IFAB, the International Football Association Board, had agreed to a temporary change to allow teams to use five substitutes, rather than the usual three, in May to "protect player welfare."

World Cup fans will be able to watch an unprecedented four games a day on television, spread out over 11 hours, during the group stage of the Qatar 2022 tournament after the 2022 World Cup schedule was confirmed on Wednesday.

With the relatively short travel distances for the venues in and around Doha, it could be possible for fans who travel to the 32-team tournament to attend multiple games each day.

The early games will kickoff at 1300 local (6 a.m. ET) with the fourth match starting at 2200 local (3 p.m. ET) and finishing just before midnight.

Last month, NASCAR finally banned Confederate flags from racetracks around the country, saying the symbol runs contrary to the organization’s commitment to a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans. It got us thinking: What discrimination in soccer still exists that needs to be eradicated from the beautiful game?

With all due respect to Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mané, there’s no way that Kevin De Bruyne doesn’t succeed Virgil van Dijk as the recipient of the Premier League Player of the Season award.  

On Wednesday, De Bruyne recorded his 18th assist of the campaign in Manchester City’s routine 5-0 victory over Newcastle United. He’s now the only player in the history of the EPL to post 18+ assists in multiple seasons (he also recorded 18 in 2016-17) and only Mesut Özil (19 in 2015-16) and Thierry Henry (20 in 2002-03) have recorded more in a single season.