Adidas extends multi-year deal to supply every MLS club, adds new development leagues
February 24 – The MLS has announced a multi-year extension of its kit partnership with Adidas that sees the sports and leisure brand supply every MLS team.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Russia remains out in the cold after Swiss court rejects appeal against CAS ruling
February 24 – The Russian Football Union’s (RFU) has had its appeal to the Swiss Supreme Court over the suspension of its national teams and clubs from international tournaments dismissed as it missed the deadline.
Transfer spending disparity shows the increasing might of the Premier League
February 24 – At the beginning of February, Deloitte crunched the numbers for Premier League transfer spending, looking back at the recent January Wwindow, as well as the spending in the summer of 2022. As Deloitte pointed out, the figures were startling, with records being broken on all fronts.
Government-backed ‘independent’ regulator to police English professional football
February 23 – In a massive shakeup of the governance of English professional football, an independent regular has been confirmed by the government with widespread powers to ensure the financial sustainability of clubs – and, crucially, stop teams from joining any breakaway European Super League.
Panama complete WWC 2023 line up and are sixth Concacaf nation though to finals
February 23 – Panama became the sixth Concacaf nation to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand this summer with a 1-0 play-off win over Papua New Guinea in Hamilton, New Zealand.
England hit form, and six goals, to beat Belgium to Arnold Clark Cup
February 23 – England’s Lionesses retained the Arnold Clark Cup on Wednesday by thrashing Belgium 6-1, the perfect tonic for the European champions in the build-up to the World Cup this summer.
English FA starts grassroots referee body cam trial in bid to stop abusive players
February 23 – English football authorities have begun trialling body cameras on referees in grassroots leagues to help “improve participant behaviour and respect towards referees”.
MLS expands play-off format with more teams and increase in games
February 23 – The MLS has revamped its play-off format, increasing the number of teams that qualify as well as bringing in a new best-of-3 series at the first round.
Inter Rapidísimo joins sponsor roster for Women’s World Cup 2023
February 23 – Colombian logistics company Inter Rapidísimo has become an Official Supporter of the Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 tournament.
Somali FA votes in Abdi Mohamed for four-year presidential term
February 23 – Ali Abdi Mohamed is the new president of the Somali FA. He was elected unopposed at the third time of asking and will serve a four-year term.
Audi gear up for new MLS season with sponsorship extension
February 23 – Audi has extended its partnership with Major League Soccer in a multi-year deal that will see it remain the League’s Official Automotive Partner, and title sponsor of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and Presenting Sponsor of the MLS Golden Boot Award.
Monaco agree auction partnership with collectibles specialist Catawiki
February 23 – AS Monaco and has agreed a collaboration with Catawiki, an online auction platform for buying and selling special items and collectibles.
FIFA is failing Haitian sex abuse survivors, argue human rights bodies
February 22 – The public pressure on the annulling of the FIFA life ban on former Haiti Football Federation (FHF) president Yves Jean-Bart for sexual abuse offences has intensified with Human Rights Watch and the Army of Survivors issuing a damning statement saying that FIFA is failing sex abuse survivors.
Haiti and Portugal make history to secure Australia/New Zealand world cup slots
February 22 – Two of the three outstanding qualification slots for the Women’s World Cup 2023 have been filled with Haiti beating Chile 2-1 to make history and qualify for their first women’s World Cup and Portugal also set to make their WWC debut after beating Cameroon 2-1.
LaLiga clubs express ‘concern’ over Barca payments to former referee
February 22 – Spanish clubs have jointly expressed their concern over reports that for years Barcelona paid a company owned by a former Catalan referee almost €1.4 million for “technical advice”.