A plague of agents? FIFA reports massing of dealmakers on football’s borders
April 12 – FIFA has reported that 6,586 candidates from 138 member associations have applied to take the new FIFA football agent exam scheduled for 19 April.
News
Chinese motor brand Haval parks on back of CSKA’s shirt
April 12 – Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia has signed a new shirt sponsorship deal with Chinese car brand HAVAL.
Concacaf unveils 14 cities and 15 stadia for 2023 Gold Cup
April 10 – Concacaf has announced the 15 stadiums that will host matches in the 2023 Gold Cup in 14 US and Canadian metropolitan areas between June 16 and July 16.
Turkey signs off official guarantees for 2028 and 2032 Euro bids
April 10 – Turkey has officially signed its bid documents for is a sixth consecutive attempt to host the Euro finals.
Juve fans given partial stadium ban after racial abuse of Lukaku
April 11 – Already in crisis on and off the field, Juventus have now been given a partial stadium ban for their next home game in the Italian Cup as a result of racist chants directed towards Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku.
FIFA beats 100-day path to WWC kick-off with final ticket sales push
April 11 – The countdown for the Women’s World Cup is on. On Tuesday, Australia and New Zealand marked 100 days until the kick-off of the women’s flagship tournament and the Football Ferns taking on Norway in the curtain raiser.
Is it Hatzidakis’ turn to get the elbow after spat with Liverpool’s Robertson?
April 11 – It isn’t every day that an official is at the centre of a foul play inquiry but assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis (pictured) has been stood down while the English Football Association looks into a clash with Liverpool defender Andy Robertson on Sunday.
Wrexham deliver last minute drama as they chase a Hollywood-style happy ending
April 11 – Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney celebrated in the stands as Wrexham, the club they took over in 2020, moved closer to promotion in dramatic fashion on Monday.
Kompany’s bounce back Burnley return to Premier League at first attempt
April 11 – Burnley are back in the big time. With seven matches to spare, the Clarets clinched promotion to the Premier League with a 2-1 victory against Middlesbrough, the culmination of Vincent Kompany’s one-season transformation of the club.
Former Belgian boss Bossaert takes RBFA to task over ‘unfair’ dismissal
April 11 – Peter Bossaert (pictured) will not give up without a fight. The former CEO of the Belgian FA (RBFA), is suing his former employer, claiming his reputation has been damaged.
Bundesliga clubs report €4.48bn revenue as pandemic effects recede
April 9 – The DFL is reporting an increase in the total revenue of German professional football to €4.48 billion in the 2021-22 season, the first increase since the pandemic.
Argentina bump Brazil off top slot in World Rankings, France take second
April 8 – World Champions Argentina, with wins over Panama and Curacao in the last international window, have returned to the top of the FIFA rankings, replacing Brazil who slipped to third behind France.
England’s women level Finalissma series with penalty shoot-out win over Brazil
April 9 – England’s women levelled up the first of Finalissima series between UEFA and Conmebol with a penalty shoot-put win over Brazil.
US women continue to dominate FIFA rankings ahead of World Cup 2023
April 6 – While the men’s World Ranking has seen Argentina take over at the top, the women’s ranking, with teams deep into their April international window, sees the USA still dominant in top position, one they have held since 2017.
England’s Hewitt steps into FIFA Council role with promise to be more than a silent observer
By Samindra Kunti in Lisbon
April 6 – England once again has a representative on the FIFA Council, football’s top table, after FA president Debbie Hewitt was elected as the British vice-president. Hewitt is the first female vice president in FIFA’s history.