Fake news: FIFA scotches rumours of Infantino 100-minute plan
April 7 – FIFA have been quick to rubbish reports coming out of Italy which suggested World Cup games in Qatar could last 100 instead of 90 minutes.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Konami takes AC Milan training kit deal for eFootball game brand
April 7 – AC Milan has unveiled video game maker Konami Digital Entertainment as the club’s first Official Training Wear Partner.
Out the World Cup and with no significant TV deal; Turkish FA president Ozdemir quits his post
April 7 – With Turkey having failed to qualify for the World Cup and the domestic broadcast deal for the SuperLig nowhere near club expectations, Turkish Football Federation (TFF) president, Nihat Ozdemir. has resigned.
Gelson Fernandes handed African member nation development role at FIFA
April 7 – Former Manchester City and Switzerland midfielder Gelson Fernandes has been appointed FIFA’s new director of member associations for Africa.
Hisense tunes into USL’s fast-growing leagues for multi-year sponsorship
April 7 – FIFA World Cup sponsor Hisense has expanded its sponsorship footprint in the US in a multi-year partnership with the United Soccer League (USL). The deal covers all of the USL’s professional and development leagues.
Platini files criminal complaint in France against Infantino for ‘influence-peddling’
By Andrew Warshaw
April 6 – After largely remaining out of the public eye since the expiry of his FIFA ban, Michael Platini is back in the spotlight with another legal offensive aimed at his nemesis Gianni Infantino.
Dutch clubs go cold on setting up cross-border league with Belgians
April 6 – Dutch clubs have put talks about a cross-border league with Belgium on hold, almost certainly bringing an end to the idea.
Russia drop CAS appeal against World Cup ban, but battle to keep spot at Women’s Euro
April 6 – Russia has withdrawn its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA’s World Cup ban and against the Polish, Swedish and Czech federations who refused to play against them because of the invasion of Ukraine.
Swiss propose revamped Super League with additional teams and new structure
April 5 – The Swiss Super League will be expanded from 10 to 12 teams from the 2023/24 season, the league body has said.
UEFA trades Panini for Topps as sticker and trading card partner
April 6 – UEFA have swapped Panini for Topps as its official UEFA EURO 2024 license partner for official stickers, trading cards and collectibles.
Chelsea’s £3bn sale would be the highest ever sale of any sports club, but are they worth it?
By Paul Nicholson
April 6 – If Chelsea are sold for £3 billion (€3.6bn, $4bn) it would not only be the highest ever sale figure achieved by a football club, but would eclipse the highest number ever paid for a spoirts organisation anywhere in the world.
Women’s Champions League smashes multiple records as Turin final tickets go on-sale
April 6 – Tickets for the UEFA Women’s Champions League final at the Juventus Stadium in Turin on May 21, have gone on sale with Category One tickets priced at €20 and Category Two at €10.
Koeman lined up for Netherlands return after Qatar 2022
April 6 – Ronald Koeman is to return as Netherlands coach when Louis van Gaal leaves the role after the World Cup in Qatar, the Dutch FA has confirmed.
UEFA builds on sustainability remit with UNECE partnership
April 5 – UEFA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) aimed to show how football can be a platform for change and in particular how football and hosting UEFA events can support cities to become more sustainable.
Chinese top tier clubs warned to settle unpaid wages by year end or face expulsion
April 5 – The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has warned that clubs who fail to settle all unpaid salaries by December 31 will be relegated or expelled.