Drama and tension as Japan beat Australian to retain AFC Women’s Asian Cup
April 21 – Japan held on to their Asian champions title beating Australia 1-0 in the final of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 final in Amman, Jordan, last Friday.
Liverpool’s Salah strikes again with Player of the Year award
April 21 – Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has been named England’s Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) – the first player from his country to receive the annual award.
Europa League trophy comes through Mexican adventure unscathed
April 23 – The Europa League returns this week with the first legs of both semi-final matches. But for a brief time last week, it appeared there might not be a cup to hand to the eventual winner.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup draw to close with Japan defending title against Australia
By Paul Nicholson
April 20 – The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 concludes tonight in Amman, Jordan, with Australia facing reigning champions Japan. The final will follow on from the play-off for third place between China and tournament surprise package Thailand.
After 22 years the Wenger revolution that turned into a revolt is coming to an ending
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – When he arrived a generation ago, the cry went up “Arsene Who?” Three league titles, seven FA Cup trophies – including two league and cup “doubles” – and 22 years later, Arsene Wenger, the longest-serving manager in the Premier league, is finally calling it a day at the end of the season.
FIFA reform guru and Congo FA boss Omari released on bail over $1m embezzlement probe
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – Constant Omari, the Democratic Republic of Congo football association president and one-time FIFA reform official arrested as part of an embezzlement probe in his country, has been released on bail for health reasons after being held for 21 hours.
Is Liverpool drowning in a foul Tibet Water deal?
By Paul Nicholson
April 20 – Liverpool’s controversial sponsorship partnership with Tibet Water is refusing to stay out the headlines with a group of 25 English MPs having written to the club asking them to end their deal.
Naughty Red Imp Bradley Wood banned for betting on his own bookings, twice
April 20 – In the latest match fixing-related case to hit English football, a lower-league player has been banned for six years for twice intentionally getting booked.
Fan fury as Premier League calls for more research on ‘safe standing’ demands
April 20 – The English Premier League has asked for more evidence to convince them to support the introduction of safe standing after the country’s sports minister refused West Bromwich Albion permission to trial the idea.
Fenerbahce semi-final abandoned after Besiktas coach Gunes hit on head
April 20 – The Turkish cup semi-final between arch-rivals Fenerbahce and Besiktas’ was abandoned after the visitors’ boss Senol Gunes was hit on the head by an object thrown from the crowd.
Premier League clubs hit £1 billion operating profit mark
By David Owen
April 20 – Premier League clubs generated record operating profits of around £1 billion on aggregate revenues of £4.5 billion, according to Deloitte, in its latest piece of financial analysis on England’s top tier.
FIFA trains video refs for Russia and promises to keep fans in the big picture
By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – Amid widespread concern about supporters being left in the dark, FIFA have confirmed that giant screens will be used at World Cup matches for replays of incidents decided by the video assistant referee – accompanied by written explanations.
James Dostoyevsky: FIFA trying hard not to let a ‘shithole country’ win
Before Morocco threw its hat in the ring, there was only America. MAGA appears to be the name of the game anywhere you look these days. Make America Great Again everywhere and anywhere. As long as the US profit and their competitors eat sand (or salt water or rocks – you choose), all is good in Trump’s special democracy.
AFC Champions League heats up as big clubs move into round of 16 battle
April 19 – The last 16 teams in this season’s AFC Champions League were confirmed on Wednesday following the competition’s final group stage fixtures on Wednesday.
Infantino to kill off Confederations Cup in bid to grab expanded piece of club game
April 19 – In a move that is viewed in many league and confederation circles as a money-motivated assault on confederation club competition revenues by the FIFA administration, plans are reportedly afoot to ditch the Confederations Cup, the traditional World Cup warm-up tournament, and expand the Club World Cup.