Stadiums

Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands unveiled plans on Monday for a joint bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2027.

A statement released by the three countries' football associations said they had already expressed their intention to bid to world football’s governing body FIFA and that they would put together a formal agreement by the end of the year.

Barcelona must press on with plans to renovate Camp Nou in order to replenish revenues lost because of the COVID-19 pandemic, vice-president Jordi Moix told Reuters, adding that the $957 million project will pay for itself.

The club announced a financing deal with Goldman Sachs on Monday to modernize their iconic but run down stadium and raise its capacity from 99,000 to 105,000. Should the plan be approved by club members next year, building work can begin by June 2021 and will take around five years to complete.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday hit out at fans who sing and cheer at soccer matches, saying they were frustrating the fight against the coronavirus amid a surge in infections.

Limited crowds have been allowed back in Dutch stadiums since the start of the new season this month, but only if they adhere to social distancing rules and refrain from singing and shouting.

"Just shut up when you're sitting there," Rutte said when asked about fans' behavior in the stadiums. "Watch the game and don't shout. It's possible."

Expansion franchise St. Louis City SC announced Thursday that they set MLS records for most season-ticket deposits in the first 15 minutes and over a 24-hour period after beginning to accept deposits on Wednesday.

The team said 30,000 fans put down deposits in the first 15 minutes and 50,000 did overall during the 24-hour period. St. Louis City will begin play in 2023.

Austin FC, which will start play in 2021, set the previous mark of 30,000 deposits over a 24-hour period in 2019.