AFC digital platforms break records

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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reached several milestones for its digital platforms, achieving a high amount of growth despite the suspension of fixtures.

The AFC had implemented a ‘fan-first’ digital strategy which proved to be successful, the 2020 figures so far have surpassed the number of engagements the AFC’S website and social platforms received in 2019.

Traffic on the AFC website increased by 185.5% between the last AFC Champions League match before lockdown on March 4 and the restart of the tournament on September 14.

The Arabic website of the AFC saw a 410.9% increase in traffic while over 10 million people engage with AFC polls across social media.

The AFC said that traffic had been strong in Vietnam, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Indonesia and Lebanon.

“Keeping our fans engaged with Asian football during the time when the AFC Competitions were postponed was a key objective and I am delighted to see the growth that the AFC has achieved,” Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said in a statement.

“Now that our club competitions are beginning to return, we believe that the mix of live content alongside the very popular fan focused content of the last six months will drive the continued expansion of the AFC’s digital properties.”

On Wednesday, the AFC also thanked the Qatar Football Association and Qatari authorities for their efforts in hosting the opening match days of the AFC Champions League (West) group.

“The experience of all the participants – teams, officials, match officials and staff – has been outstanding from a world leading airport, to smooth and efficient immigration, to some of the best hotels in Asia, to cutting edge training facilities and now matches have been played in state-of-the-art stadiums with the very latest technology,” the AFC said in a statement.

“The medical support provided by the Qatari authorities in safeguarding the health and welfare of all the participants during this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that Qatar’s non-football care is also exceptional.”

Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Three stadiums will be used for the FIFA World Cup – Khalifa International Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium and the Education City Stadium were used for the AFC Champions League.

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Manchester City Charges Put Financial Governance Under Spotlight

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Manchester City’s reported guilty verdict on 114 of 115 Premier League financial charges has created a major business and administration challenge for the club. An independent commission reportedly reached its findings after a lengthy hearing into alleged financial-rule breaches between 2009 and 2018 last week.

The Premier League has not confirmed the verdict publicly, while City says the process remains ongoing and is expected to appeal. The next decision could have significant financial consequences.

No punishment has been announced; however, potential sanctions include a points deduction, financial penalties and/or expulsion from the Premier League, all of which would have significant and varied financial impact. The club must continue operating while it awaits the commission’s full decision and any appeal process, which could affect recruitment, player contracts, budgets and long-term investment decisions.

City generates substantial income through broadcasting, commercial partnerships and matchday operations – as of 2026, Manchester City’s revenue sits at $1.56 billion (894 million pounds). A significant change to the club’s Premier League status could therefore affect several revenue streams at once.

Commercial partners will also be watching the next weeks closely, and must assess how any sanction could affect their association with the club. City’s global commercial operation has become an important part of its business model during its period of sustained success. Other Premier League clubs have discussed potential compensation claims linked to the alleged breaches. Any successful claims would create another financial liability for City beyond a league sanction.

City has consistently denied wrongdoing and says it has respected due process, and its expected appeal means the forthcoming sanctions may not represent the final outcome. That leaves the club managing two priorities at once: defending its position through the regulatory process, and protecting its commercial and operational stability.

For the Premier League, the case also tests the strength of its financial regulations. The final sanction, and any appeal that follows, will shape the financial and administrative consequences for Manchester City and could influence how clubs approach financial compliance in the future.

Queensland Football Convention adds high-profile speakers to 2026 lineup

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The 2026 Queensland Football Convention has expanded its speaker lineup. Robbie Kruse, Emma McKeon, Jon Moss and Tony Wilson are joining previously confirmed headliner Mark Bosnich. The four new additions will bring experience from football, elite sport, refereeing and high performance to the two-day convention at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on the 10th and 11th of October.

Bosnich was announced in August as the event’s featured speaker. The former Socceroo and Premier League goalkeeper will take part in an exclusive Q&A covering his career, life in football and the pathways available to Australia’s next generation of players. Robbie Kruse adds another strong football voice to the program. Queensland’s most-capped Socceroo will share lessons from a career that took him from local football to the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League. Now working in coaching and player development, Kruse will focus on pathways, talent development and the challenge of making the step into elite football.

McKeon – Australia’s most decorated Olympian – will bring a different perspective in exploring the principles behind high performance. Her session will cover teamwork, resilience, goal setting and the value of small improvements when competing at the highest level.

Former Premier League referee and current-Football Australia Head of Referees Jon Moss will also return, examining the relationship between coaches and match officials. He will focus on communication, mutual respect and collaboration, while also looking at the future of refereeing in Australia and the role coaches and clubs can play in supporting officials.

Tony Wilson, founder of Performance Lab, completes the newly announced group. As keynote speaker, Wilson will examine mindset, leadership, culture and resilience, drawing on his work with elite athletes, teams and organisations across Australia and the United States. The expanded program gives coaches, administrators and football professionals access to perspectives from across the sporting landscape.

The Queensland Football Convention will take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The convention takes place from the 9th to the 11th of October.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 Queensland Football Convention, click the link here.

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