Liverpool's dispute with Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach following an alleged illegal approach for teenager Rhian Brewster "intensified with the postponement of a prestigious" preseason fixture between the clubs. A friendly was scheduled for Aug. 7 but Liverpool withdrew the invitation and wrote to the German side to "issue a warning" about its conduct (London TELEGRAPH, 5/19).
Sierra Leone Sports Minister Ibrahim Nyelenkeh "wants the domestic league to resume in 90 days as he works to heal the rift which is dividing football in his country." A "power struggle" at the Sierra Leone FA "means there has been no domestic league football for almost four years" (BBC, 5/20).
FIFA made a "mighty blunder" in congratulating New Zealand Football Championship side Team Wellington on becoming the third New Zealand team to qualify for the Club World Cup. The governing body's official Instagram account sent its congratulations to Team Wellington by sharing a photo of Kiwi rival Auckland City lifting the trophy instead (STUFF, 5/20).
