The 2018 All-Ireland football final "may not take place in the month of August" because of the "probability of the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland next year." The expectation is that a Mass on Aug. 26 will conclude the six-day event, "with Croke Park the preferred venue." That was the date being "pencilled in for the All-Ireland football final in the draft masters fixture plan." If Croke Park is confirmed as the venue for the Papal Mass, the All-Ireland football final will "have to be pushed back out by a week" to Sept. 2 (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 6/21).
Cameroon Manager Hugo Broos "complained of team buses arriving late and then getting stuck in traffic as he vented his anger" over the organization of the Confederations Cup on Wednesday. Broos called on organizers to "sort things out" for next year's World Cup, saying that he "had twice been angered by logistical glitches" (REUTERS, 6/21).
The Irn-Bru Cup "will feature two new teams, one less round and more prize money" in the '17-18 season, the Scottish Professional Football League announced. There will be "six rounds rather than seven from next season," with the competition running from Aug.-March. Prize money for '17-18 has gone up by 9% to £335,200 ($424,500), while clubs traveling overseas for matches will receive a contribution of £5,000 ($6,300) to help cover costs (HERALD SCOTLAND, 6/21).
ONE Championship announced its inaugural event in Surabaya, Indonesia, which is set to take place on July 29 at the GOR Kertajaya Arena. The city will host ONE: Conquest of Kings (ONE Championship).
