Football fields across Australia to turn purple for pancreatic cancer in June

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Now in its seventh consecutive year, #PlayinPurple, a national awareness campaign for pancreatic cancer, will once again return in June to football pitches across Australia.

On the weekends of June 12-13 and 19-20, football players will play in purple socks to raise critical awareness for the disease.

The campaign last year saw 8000 players participate in the initiative.

“This is an important awareness-raising initiative and the spirit of sportsmanship is wonderful as local football fields become awash with purple socks,” said Sutherland Shire FA General Manager Jeff Stewart.

“I encourage each and every one of our associations to participate in this.”

A-League clubs and state governing bodies across the country will continue to support the campaign.

Key information on the 2021 campaign can be found below.

  • #PlayinPurple 2020 runs on two weekends of June 12/13 &/19 20 (clubs choose their round to play in purple socks)
  • All players, clubs and codes are encouraged to participate Australia wide, with a simple change of your local club socks to purple socks for one weekend!
  • PanKind purple socks are $15 per pair and the funds raised will go directly toward pancreatic cancer research
  • A brand-new purple #PlayinPurple sock design will be unveiled this year
  • A #PlayinPurple participation pack including a social media guide is provided to each club. Campaign hashtags #playinpurple #pancreaticcancer @PanKindFoundation
  • Clubs and associations are able to make a direct donation to PanKind.
  • More information will be shared and the online shop for orders from early
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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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Image Credit: Football Queensland

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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