Amnesty pressures FIFA to stay focussed on Qatar workers’ rights, despite progress made
March 22 – Amnesty International has called on FIFA to put more pressure on 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar to improve conditions for migrant workers.
Author: Paul Nicholson
UEFA delivers Takeaway.com sponsorship across major men’s and women’s properties
March 22 – UEFA has agreed a landmark sponsorship deal covering a bulk of its flagship men’s and women’s competitions with Just Eat Takeaway.com, adding to its already agreed Official Food Delivery Partner sponsorship of this summer’s Euro 2020 competition.
Rangers fury at Kamara racial abuse as UEFA launches probe
March 22 – UEFA have stepped in to investigate claims that a player from Scottish champions Rangers was racially abused by a Slavia Prague opponent during their Europa League match last week as both sides continue to blame the other for the incident.
FIFA headcount surges beyond 1,000 as governing body confirms $778m covid hit
By David Owen
March 21 – In these volatile and unnerving times for sport, it is good to know there are still some things one can depend on: for example, that the headcount at Gianni Infantino’s FIFA will continue to rise year after year.
FIFA launch into esports entertainment with Face-Off game show
March 22 – FIFA have caught the esports bug, and the revenue wave its FIFA21 video game has brought, and launched another new competition this weekend.
Albania refused fan entry for England qualifier in Tirana
March 22 – Albania has had their request for a limited number of spectators at the World Cup qualifier with England this month turned down by the country’s health ministry due to rising daily cases of coronavirus.
Europa League’s covid break contributes to Wolves’ £40m loss
By David Owen
March 20 – Chinese-owned Wolverhampton Wanderers have joined the general plunge into the red by Premier League clubs for the covid-impacted 2019-20 financial year.
High-flying Leicester suffer £67m loss for covid-hit year – but better times ahead
By David Owen
March 20 – Leicester City, the Thai-controlled club riding high in the Premier League once again under Brendan Rodgers, incurred a hefty pre-tax loss of £67.3 million for the covid-impacted 2019-20 financial year.
Infantino tells European clubs to stop abusing rules and release players for national duty
By Andrew Warshaw
March 19 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino today called on clubs, mainly those in Europe, not to take unfair advantage of the relaxation of the rules concerning the release of players for the March international programme.
Man Utd log in for £47m a year deal with TeamViewer as Chevrolet hit the road
March 19 – Manchester United has signed a new five-year agreement with German computer software giant TeamViewer replacing Chevrolet as the club’s principal shirt sponsor.
UCL draw: PSG face Bayern, Liverpool and Real Madrid paired
March 19 – European heavyweights Paris St. Germain and Manchester City will both have to do it the hard way if they are to clinch the Champions League title for the first time following the quarter-final and semi-final draws made today.
Senegal protest at squad being halved for AFCON qualifiers by French block on players
By Samindra Kunti
March 19 – The Senegal FA (FSF) has written a letter of protest to their French counterpart (FFF), objecting to French league’s decision to block players from playing in the final round of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
AFC fills Champions League (East) groups ready for June kick-off
March 18 – The final East Zone AFC Champions League slots are filling up with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ruling that both teams from the play-off match between FC Pohang Steelers from Korea Republic and Thailand’s Ratchaburi FC will fill the Group G slots available.
More Sudan complaints suggest long term FIFA cover-up of a committed supporter
By Paul Nicholson
March 19 – Details have surfaced of yet another complaint by a member of the Sudan FA – this one made in November 2019 – and sent to FIFA protesting ethics violations by SFA president, Dr. Kamal Shaddad, who last month was blessed by a visit from FIFA president Gianni Infantino prior to the CAF electoral congress and the installation of Patrice Motsepe as CAF president.
Ukraine lose CAS appeal. Swiss keep Nations League status with walkover win
March 19 – Ukraine have been relegated to the second tier of the Nations League after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed its appeal against UEFA’s decision to award Switzerland a 3-0 walkover win in November.