The FA of Wales voted in favor of "restructuring the Welsh football leagues." The restructure will see 108 clubs involved in the top three tiers. Twelve teams will still be featured in the Welsh Premier League, with two 16-team leagues in the second tier and four 16-team leagues in the third tier. This will be implemented through a "phased approach over the coming seasons," beginning in '19-20 (BBC, 2/19).
The '18-19 Scottish Premiership season will kick off on the weekend of Aug. 4, the Scottish Professional Football League announced. The top flight "will also continue to break for three weeks at the beginning of January." The season will start with the group stage of the Scottish League Cup, which will be played from July 14-28 (BBC, 2/20).
EPL side West Ham is facing a fine after being charged by the FA with "breaching anti-doping rules." The club failed to ensure its information on the "whereabouts" of players was accurate on three occasions within the past 12 months. Man City and Bournemouth were both fined £35,000 for similar offenses last year, and West Ham is "likely to receive a similar punishment if the charge is proved" (LONDON TIMES, 2/20).
Premier League side Newcastle United Owner Mike Ashley "came close to having a major involvement with England football." His retail empire, Sports Direct, was in "lengthy talks" to replace Vauxhall as team sponsor after this summer’s World Cup. The FA's discussions with Ashley "broke down for a number of reasons," including concerns from England shirt supplier Nike about Sports Direct "dictating price policy." The FA "would prefer a blue-chip company for a partner and a less controversial figure than Ashley" (London DAILY MAIL, 2/20).
Association of Australian Football Clubs Chair Rabieh Krayem said that he is "greatly encouraged" after meeting a delegation from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation in Sydney on Tuesday. The association was "one of a number of special interest groups interviewed by the three-man delegation" on the first day of three days of meetings designed to "end the turmoil that has plagued the sport over the past two years." Instigated by FIFA, the delegation will "eventually make recommendations around the formation of a working group aimed at reviewing the membership" of Football Federation Australia’s congress (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/21).
