USSF agrees pay deal with women’s game ahead of NWSL kick off
April 6 – The long-running and often bitter dispute between the US Soccer Federation and the country’s top female players over wage discrimination has ended.
Chung heads for CAS claiming Blatter’s buddies are still running the show
By Andrew Warshaw
April 6 – As he prepares to try and clear his name at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), an embittered Chung Mong-joon says Sepp Blatter’s legacy still pervades FIFA and that he has been treated maliciously by FIFA’s ethics committee.
UEFA agencies start tender process for video game and eSports partners
April 6 – UEFA has expanded its video gaming commercial category into three parts, taking account of the growth opportunities in the video gaming and exploding eSports sector.
Liverpool hit with fine and academy recruitment ban after trying to poach Stoke player
April 6 – Liverpool have been fined £100,000 by the Premier League and handed a two-year ban on signing academy players from other English clubs for breaking strict recruitment rules.
Irish women call off strike after deal agreed with FAI over working conditions
April 6 – Twenty-four hours after threatening to go on strike in a row over working conditions the Republic of Ireland’s women’s team have reached agreement with the national federation (FAI) following lengthy mediation talks.
NYCFC sign first eSports player to MLS club brand
April 6 – New York City FC has become the second of the City Football Group clubs and the first in the MLS to sign an eSports player top play competitively under the club brand and in club colours.
Ceferin stamps mark on a reforming UEFA with a strategic plan and a €1m promise
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – In a speech delivered with a mixture of the icy calmness and refreshing straightforwardness that has come to typify his leadership, UEFA president Alexander Ceferin laid down his vision for overhauling European football today by re-re-iterating there would be “no empty promises, no empty words, no scandals.”
Germany back at the top table as UEFA votes its big guns on to exco
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – Sweden and the Republic of Ireland were the big winners when their respective federation bosses gained the most votes in being elected today to UEFA’s new-look executive committee.
Spanish match-fixing: Two Eldense players and club boss arrested after Barca B fiasco
April 5 – Two players and one senior official have now reportedly been arrested as part of a probe into possible match-fixing surrounding Eldense’s 12-0 hammering by Barcelona B in the Spanish third tier.
‘Dirt on the FAI’s shoe’. Irish women threaten to strike
April 5 – The Republic of Ireland women’s team have threatened to go on strike in a row over treatment by their national association (FAI), throwing Monday’s game against Slovakia into doubt.
Bahamas warms up to 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup Finals
April 5 – With 22 days to go to the start of the Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 the trophy is touring the islands, if not whipping up a soccer fervour and frenzy for the April 27 kick-off, certainly getting a warm Caribbean-style welcome for the 16-team competition that will be the first FIFA World Cup finals competition hosted by a Caribbean nation.
Swansea’s US owners front up to fans and admit mistakes have been made
April 5 – American owners of Premier League clubs don’t always have a happy time and are often conspicuous by their absence, especially when the going gets tough. But Swansea City’s majority owners Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien fronted up to a supporters forum yesterday taking their share of the blame and a heap of criticism.
CFG adds Uruguay’s Torque as feeder for Man City, NYCFC, Melbourne and Yokohama
April 5 – Manchester City owner City Football Group (CFG) has taken control of a fifth club, Uruguay’s second division Club Atletico Torque. CFG also owns New York City FC in the US, Melbourne City in Australia, and a controlling position in Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos.
Spanish probe Barca ‘B’ vs Eldense after match-fixing allegations and coach arrested
By Andrew Warshaw
April 4 – A highly suspect 12-0 victory by Barcelona’s B team over Eldense last weekend is to be investigated by Spanish authorities for possible match-fixing.
India focus on climbing FIFA rankings and target better fixtures with Champions Cup
By Samindra Kunti
April 4 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is to launch a new invitational Champions Cup for national teams, with the first edition to be held in August 2017. The Champions Cup will replace the old Nehru Cup.