FIFA earmarks $1m of relief for Ukraine humanitarian crisis
March 21 – FIFA has sent medical supplies to the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) and allocated $1 million to the FIFA Foundation for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Civil unrest forces Iraq’s crucial home tie against UAE to be shifted to Saudi Arabia
March 21 – So near but so far. Iraqi dreams of hosting their remaining home tie in the final group stage of Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying have been dashed following unrest in the country.
OFC 2022 qualifiers: Covid kills Vanuatu’s campaign, Cook Islands also hit
March 21 – Vanuatu have withdrawn from Oceania’s eight-team World Cup qualifiers because of a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad. The Cooks Islands’ second game was also postponed due to positive coronavirus cases.
beIN Sports dedicates four new channels for final rounds of AFC World Cup qualifying
March 21 – beIN SPORTS will launch four new dedicated channels for the 12 remaining matches of the the AFC World Cup 2022 qualifiers that will be played over two match days.
Concacaf Champions League set for LigaMX vs MLS final
March 21 – The vice-like grip Mexico’s clubs have held on the Concacaf Champions League is being challenged with this year’s final guaranteed to have a challenger from the MLS.
Hyderabad take ISL title in penalty shoot-out win over Kerala Blasters
March 21 – FC Hyderabad claimed their maiden Indian Super League (ISL) crown following a penalty shoot-out victory over three-time finalists Kerala Blasters. After 120 minutes of football, each side had scored a single goal.
Real Madrid and Chelsea lined up for Champions League repeat
March 18 – Holders Chelsea will face 13-time winners Real Madrid in the glamour tie of the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Russian World Cup suspension holds after CAS dismisses RFU appeal for stay
March 18 – Russia’s participation in the World Cup in Qatar is almost certainly over after a move to temporarily freeze their FIFA ban was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Concacaf confirms W Qualifiers schedule for Monterrey finals in July
March 18 – The dates of the final rounds of qualifying for the Concacaf W Championship to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, in July, have been confirmed for women’s international match window in April.
USL Women’s Super League to break new ground with season to follow international calendar
March 18 – The USL has announced that its professional women’s Super League that will kick off in August 2023 will not be played as a calendar year competition but will align with the international women’s football calendar.
Thai city Buriram confirmed as centralised venue for AFC Champions League group
March 18 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the Champions League Group J centralised matches will be hosted in Buriram, Thailand, and played from April 16 to May 1.
‘GRID’ Forum – Football is not doing enough , ‘silence is compliance’, says Lewis
By Paul Nicholson
March 18 – Brian Lewis, president of the Trinidad & Tobago National Olympic Committee and CANOC, issued a challenge to sport and to football in particular to do more to combat discrimination in all its forms.
Fan-less Chelsea head for Middlesbrough for FA Cup clash as ‘integrity’ storm rages
March 18 – The FA Cup, the world’s oldest domestic knockout tournament, resumes at the quarterfinal stage this weekend with much of the focus on crisis club Chelsea’s visit to second-tier Middlesbrough.
Russian striker Dzyuba says he rejected call-up for family, not political reasons
March 18 – Russia’s national team captain Artem Dzyuba has denied he asked not to join the side’s training camp because of the conflict in Ukraine.
OFC 2022 qualifiers: Solomon Islands open with win, Vanuatu hit by Covid, NZ waiting
March 18 – The Solomon Islands defeated the Cook Islands 2-0 to kick off the eight-team Oceania World Cup qualifiers with a ticket for the intercontinental playoffs at stake, but on the first day of the tournament Tahiti – Vanuatu had to be postponed because of a Covid-19 outbreak.