US Soccer ends no-kneel rule
March 1 – The United States Soccer Federation has voted to end a ban on players protesting racial inequality and police brutality from kneeling during the national anthem.
Author: Paul Nicholson
AFC unveils hosts for centralised AFC Cup groups
March 1 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced centralised hosts for its AFC Cup 2021 club competition that has been expanded to a 36 team group stage this season. The competition was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Norwegian clubs call on FA to boycott Qatar 2022
March 1 – Norwegian top flight clubs Tromso and Odds Ballklubb have urged their FA to boycott the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
CAF lifts home match ban on Libya
March 1 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has lifted its ban on international matches being played in Libya following a visit to the country to inspect facilities and security.
Liverpool owners FSG poised to sell off £750m stake to RedBird Capital
March 1 – Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are reportedly on the verge of agreeing the sale of 10% in the holding company for a reported $750 million.
AFC boosts referee education with launch of STAR programme
March 1 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched a new online match officials education programme designed to give member associations customisable refereeing resources as well as current with refereeing advances worldwide.
Man Utd draw AC Milan in Europa League last 16
February 26 – Manchester United were paired today with AC Milan in mouth-watering heavyweight clash in the last 16 of the Europa League.
FIFA runs out of time in Beckenbauer, Zwanziger and Schmidt corruption probe
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – FIFA’s attempt to finally get to the bottom of the alleged vote-buying scandal linked to Germany’s staging of the 2006 World Cup is over – with those at the heart of the probe free from further scrutiny.
Anouma gets his Infantino powwow, as FIFA boss lays foundations in Mali
February 26 – African football’s presidential candidate Jacques Anouma has been granted his wish to meet with Gianni Infantino as the race hots up ahead of the vote on March 12.
Juve continues to bleed red with €113m first half loss
February 26 – Juventus’s plummeting revenue due to the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a loss of €113 million for the first six months of the 2020-21 season.
Jordaan says Africa must look to joint bids if it is to host another World Cup
February 26 – South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has urged Africa to explore co-hosting to stand any chance of hosting a future World Cup and to look seriously at the opportunity of hosting a Women’s World Cup.
CAF presidential hopeful Yahya caught in club cash scandal, reports
February 26 – One of the two candidates reportedly backed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino for the top job in African football is at the centre of a transfer scandal that threatens to undermine his credibility to contest the election on March 12.
SheBelieves Cup closes with US win and record ratings
February 26 – The SheBelieves Cup in the US completed earlier this week with a resounding 6-0 win over for the hosts over Argentina, two goals for Megan Rapinoe, and record viewing figures.
Costa Rica to host 2021 Concacaf Beach Soccer finals ahead of Russian World Cup
February 26 – Costa Rica will host the 2021 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship. May 17-23, in Alajuela. The tournament will be part of the federation’s 100 year anniversary celebrations.
AC Milan crypto launch raises $6m as early trading volumes top $50m
February 26 – Blockchain-driven Fan Tokens – football’s version of cryptocurrency – saw AC Milan the latest club to launch with their $ACM Fan Token debuting on Binance, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange, and raising more than $6 million in new digital revenue in a matter of hours.