Adidas gets the ball rolling for Women’s Champions League final in Turin
February 1 – Adidas has unveiled the official match ball that will be used for all knock-out rounds and the final of the 2021/22 UEFA Women’s Champions League.
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Colombia
The Conmebol nation, currently ranked 28th in the world, qualified for the W Gold Cup as one top four teams from the Copa America Feminin.
Canada stun US to tighten grip on Concacaf World Cup qualifying, Mexico lose ground
January 31 – Canada opened up a four-point gap at the top of Concacaf qualifying for Qatar 2022 with a 2-0 home win over the US – their first World Cup home win over the US for 41 years.
Salah and Mane fire up Egypt and Senegal challenges for AFCON title
January 31 – In the Africa Cup of Nations, Mohamed Salah led Egypt with a 2-1 extra-time victory past Morocco to set up a blockbuster semi-final against hosts Cameroon, who eliminated Gambia. On the other side of the draw, Senegal and Burkina Faso will compete for a place in the final.
CAF to the rescue: Africans say Infantino’s migrant saving comment was ‘misinterpreted’
January 31 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and several African FA presidents have came out in support of FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s controversial speech at the Council of Europe last week when he suggested the staging of biennial World Cups would provide a solution to the African migrant crisis.
Socios win temporary injunction in legal battle with AFA over sponsorship rights
January 31 – Fan token platform Socios has sued the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) for terminating their sponsorship contract.
Man Utd’s Greenwood arrested on suspicion of rape
January 31 – Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood has been arrested on suspicion of rape and assault following allegations that were made on social media.
Infantino calls on FFF boss Le Graët to oversee FIFA’s new Paris base
By Samindra Kunti
January 28 – On a visit to Paris, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has appointed French FA (FFF) president Noel Le Graët as his delegate to oversee the organisation’s newly opened office in Paris.
Costa Rica back in Qatar 2022 contention as Canada, US and Mexico all win
January 28 – Writing off Costa Rica as an ageing and tired team might be premature. Last night they put themselves back into Qatar 2022 qualification contention with a 1-0 win over Panama.
Zero tolerance? FIFA’s head of Legends programme survives sexual harassment case
January 28 – The sense that FIFA’s senior leadership is running out of control under president Gianni Infantino has been reinforced by news that a key advisor, Miguel Macedo has evaded sanction despite being found to have sexually harassed a member of his staff.
CAF gets shirty with Comoros and issues fines
January 28 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined Comoros $5,000 for “not respecting shirt numbers” and $2,000 for delaying kick-off in their last-16 match against Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Qatar 2022: Canada bid for Concacaf crown, US and Mexico seek to repel all usurpers
January 27 – The eight Concacaf nations in the final World Cup qualification return to action tonight in an international window that will see them play three matches in eight days.
FIFA bats second to cricket’s ICC as most-followed international federation on social media
January 27 – FIFA may rule football but it doesn’t rule sports on social media, cricket does. A new ranking puts the world governing body of the world’s game over 38 million followers behind the smaller ball game.
Argentinean official falsified player travel docs to beat covid rules, say Brazil health chiefs
January 27 – Brazilian health authorities have claimed that an official of the Argentina Football Association (AFA) falsified health declarations before the World Cup qualifier with Brazil last September when officials of Anvisa stormed the pitch in Sao Paulo and brought the match to an end after seven minutes.
UEFA threatens Sporting Lisbon with 3- year ban unless €1.5m Sampdoria debt is paid
January 27 – UEFA will ban Sporting Lisbon from European competition for the next three seasons unless the Portuguese club can prove they have made outstanding payments by the end of the month.