Cruzeiro slump as questions asked over Brazilian club’s spending
May 30 – Brazilian authorities and police are investigating Cruzeiro and its president Wagner Pires de Sa for financial mismanagement and other illegal activities.
South America
Copa America: Brazil’s Tite makes first sub, dropping Neymar in favour of Alves as captain
May 28 – Neymar has been stripped of Brazil’s captaincy in the build-up to this summer’s Copa America by the country’s coach Tite. He will be replaced by Daniel Alves.
Ban served, Mayne-Nicholls returns to football with Colo Colo in Chile
By Andrew Warshaw
May 10 – Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the FIFA-appointed official who led the inspection team that evaluated the credentials of all 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding candidates – only to be later banned for requesting work placements at Qatar’s famed Aspire academy – is back in football.
Brazilian women return to TV with new Bandeirantes deal
May 3 – TV Bandeirantes and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have signed a deal to broadcast Brazil’s domestic women’s leagues, marking the return of the game on TV sets across Brazil for the first time since 2017.
Sala tragedy continues: Emiliano’s father Horacio dies of heart attack
April 29 – The father of Emiliano Sala, the promising young Argentine tragically killed in a plane crash in January after he had completed a £15 million move from Nantes to Cardiff City, has died of a heart attack.
Ecuador women’s team staff fired over sex pest accusations
April 23 – The coach of Ecuador’s women’s team, Luis Pescarolo, as well as a physical trainer and a doctor, have been sacked following complaints of sexual harassment.
Qatar to return for 2020 Copa America. US and Mexico snubbed by Conmebol
April 11 – Qatar will participate in the 2020 Copa America that is set to be co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia. China is reportedly going to be the second team invited from outside Conmebol to the 12-team tournament.
Conmebol unveils format for co-hosted 2020 Copa America in Argentina and Colombia
April 10 – South American governing body Conmebol has confirmed Colombia and Argentina will stage the 2020 Copa America. For the first time the world’s oldest international tournament will be co-hosted, featuring a revamped group stage format.
Caboclo takes over at CBF promising Brazilian reform and an end to corruption
By Samindra Kunti
April 10 – Rogerio Caboclo has been inaugurated as the new president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The finance lawyer and protege of former CBF president Marco Polo Del Nero has a four-year term to shake off the governing body’s tainted image and end Brazil’s international isolation.
Conmebol still to confirm 2020 Copa America hosting as doubts over Argentina increase
By Paul Nicholson and Samindra Kunti
April 9 – Conmebol will finally decide where it intends to play its 2020 Copa America this week – the competition is also being played this summer in Brazil and is switching its staging to even numbered years in 2020.
Pele given clean bill of health and released from Parisian hospital
April 9 – Pele, arguably the game’s most revered living legend, has been released from hospital in Paris after falling ill whilst attending a sponsor event in the French capital.
Colombian government gives support to 2020 Copa America co-hosting
April 8 – The Colombian government has given its support to the co-hosting of the 2020 Copa America ahead of Tuesday’s Conmebol Executive Committee meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
Colombian women return to international play with Peru win
April 5 – Colombia women’s team have returned to the international fray with a 2-1 friendly win over Peru. They hadn’t played a competitive game for nine months.
Brazil’s CBF to downsize state championships by two match days
April 4 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is considering a plan to downsize the regional state championships by at least two match days next season in order to avoid future conflicts with Brazilian national team fixtures.
Brazil’s next generation crash out of U17 regional finals
April 2 – A ten-men Brazil were eliminated from the U17 South American championship in Peru after a crushing 3-0 defeat by Argentina, but the Brazilians will still qualify for the U17 World Cup in October as hosts.