Aussies head north for charity double against England
February 21 – England’s men’s and women’s teams are to play Australia in a unique international friendly double for charity later this year.
Europe
Swedes tackle taboos to keep girls playing the game
February 21 – The betting business is not generally regarded as being the most sensitive or caring sector of the sports business but Swedish state gaming company Svenska Spel has teamed up with the Swedish FA to tackle one of the biggest taboos in the women’s game.
Barca deny they sought to influence refs through €1.4m deal with former match official
February 20 – Barcelona paid a company owned by a former Catalan referee almost €1.4 million for “technical advice”, according to Spanish media reports citing a tax probe.
Christian Atsu’s body found in ruins of his apartment building in Antakya
February 20 – Christian Atsu, the former Ghana international forward who played for Premier League clubs Chelsea and Newcastle, has tragically died in the huge earthquake in southern Turkey.
Pavelko appeals Kyiv court suspension as he sees UEFA re-election
February 20 – Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) president Andriy Pavelko, who is running for re-election to the UEFA executive committee, has appealed against his suspension from the UAF by Ukrainian authorities in a Kyiv court.
Scots and Welsh FA’s dedicate Pinatar Cup clash to Football v Homophobia campaign
February 19 – The Scottish FA and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) have dedicated the February 21, Scotland v Wales match at the Pinatar Cup tournament to the Football v Homophobia campaign.
Čeferin unopposed for UEFA presidency but race hots up for exco seats
February 16 – UEFA has re-confirmed that Aleksander Čeferin will stand for re-election to the UEFA presidency unopposed with the announcement of candidates for election at its 47th Ordinary Congress in Lisbon on April 5.
French sports minister denies interference in FFF despite ordering audit of Le Graët’s leadership
February 16 – France’s sports minister has refuted any suggestion of government interference in the affairs of the French FA (FFF) as the fallout gathers pace over the status of veteran FFF chief Noel le Graët.
With fears of Russian coup growing, Moldova’s Sheriff told to play Partizan behind closed doors
February 21 – Partizan Belgrade fans have been banned from travelling to watch their side play Sheriff Tiraspol in Thursday’s Europa Conference League tie as tensions escalate in Moldova amid fears Russia may be planning a coup.
Infantino to back disgraced Le Graet and warn against interfering with FFF at Macron meeting, reports
February 15 – Gianni Infantino will plead the case of disgraced French FA president Noel Le Graet when he meets today with French president Emmanuel Macron, according to unconfirmed French media reports.
Aston Villa owners V Sports expand club portfolio with minority stake in Portugal’s Vitória SC
February 15 – Aston Villa’s owners V Sports are set to buy a 46% stake in Portuguese club Vitória Sport Clube.
Bayern take the advantage with a 1-0 win over sluggish PSG
By Samindra Kunti in Paris
February 15 – Bayern Munich Kingsley Coman’s second-half volley was enough to sink his boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain and leave the French champions on the brink of another premature Champions League exit.
UEFA apologises as report lays blame for UCL final chaos on ‘lack of oversight’
February 14 – Independent UEFA-appointed investigators have found European football’s governing body mainly responsible for the security chaos at the 2022 Champions League final in Paris between Liverpool and Real Madrid that put thousands of lives at risk.
Jakub Jankto breaks men’s football’s biggest taboo saying he ‘no longer wants to hide’
February 14 – In a groundbreaking moment, Czech international Jakub Jankto has become the first active international men’s player to declare he is gay.
Belgian top tier club Gent look to private equity for new money
February 13 – Belgian club KAA Gent have been put up for sale and could become the latest to end up in foreign ownership.