Qatar’s 2022 World Cup preparations have been "inconvenienced but not delayed by the political and economic boycott by its neighbours," Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary General Hassan Al-Thawadi said. He added that alternative suppliers outside those countries involved in the ongoing dispute "have been found for tournament-related construction projects" (AFP, 8/20).
The Chinese FA signed an agreement with the German FA (DFB) that will allow the China U20 Olympic team to "compete in Germany's fourth-tier." The Chinese side will play in the Regional liga Südwest from the start of the '17-18 season as part of its preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games (SOCCEREX, 8/18).
Brazil's Federal Police have called for the indictment of 21 people, including two ex-governors of Brasília, for allegedly overcharging R$559M "in the renovation of the stadium used in the 2014 World Cup." The Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasília was originally scheduled to cost around R$600M but ended up costing closer to R$1.57B, officials said (REUTERS, 8/18).
In homage and in solidarity with the victims of the Barcelona attack, the French Professional Football League (LFP) decided to observe a minute of silence across all Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches (LFP).
