La Liga side Athletic Bilbao will sell pieces of the grass removed from the San Mamés field to the public. The club is currently demolishing the stadium, and once that process is complete, Athletic Bilbao will sell "a limited number" of pieces of the stadium grass in the team's official stores and via the club's website. The price will range from €35-€40 ($47-$54) (EFE, 6/19). ... ManU will face the Swedish outfit AIK "at the Friends Arena in the final game" of its preseason tour (GOAL, 6/18). ... Highlighting Indian footballers' "grievances over non-payment of salaries as per terms laid down in their contracts," former captain Bhaichung Bhutia "recently presented a report at the FIFPro Asia Conference in Melbourne" (PTI, 6/19). ... Cambodian football "was given another kick in the right direction" Tuesday as AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa "pledged support from the regional and global governing bodies to help continue the development of the sport in the Kingdom" (PHNOM PENH POST, 6/19).
OPEN PRACTICE: Newly hired Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola's first two practices on June 26 and 27 with his new team will be open to the public. Bayern Munich will charge fans wishing to attend €5 ($6.70) for admission, with the club hoping to fill its Allianz Arena capacity of 71,000. Proceeds will go toward repairing recent flood damages done in the state of Bavaria (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 6/19).
WORLD CUP BOOST: The South African national football team "could get a further boost" in its "seemingly doomed bid to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil next year with Ethiopia potentially set to lose the points from their win over Bafana Bafana." FIFA "is already investigating the eligibility of midfielder Minyahile Beyene for the 2-1 victory in Botswana on June 8." The player "should have been suspended for the fixture, having picked up two yellow cards in the qualification campaign." With plenty of precedence in this regard, it "would seem highly likely that Ethiopia's error in fielding him will cost them the points from the match against The Zebras" (SOWETAN LIVE, 6/19).
