Man City look to the future with kids app aimed at engaging 6-12 year-olds
April 24 – Manchester City is launching a free children’s app – Man City Kids – aimed at 6-12 year olds.
News
Maxwell’s house: Scottish FA appoint Patrick Thistle boss to lead national game
April 24 – Ian Maxwell has been appointed the Scottish FA’s new chief executive and has promised “to shape a better future”.
Renewed allegations surface of FIFA plot to exclude Morocco from 2026 vote in June
By Andrew Warshaw
April 23 – Just days after FIFA’s 2026 World Cup evaluation panel completed its inspection visits to the two candidates, fresh claims have emerged of unfair treatment towards Morocco that threaten to undermine the all-important vote in June.
German FA opens membership doors to esports teams
By Samindra Kunti
April 23 – The German Football Association, DFB, has opened up its membership to e-sports team, limiting new entrants to those with a focus on football.
Nicaraguan violence forces CONCACAF to end Women’s U17 Championship
April 23 – CONCACAF has canceled the rest of its 2018 Women’s Under-17 Championship following violence in Managua, Nicaragua, where the tournament began Thursday.
Europa League trophy comes through Mexican adventure unscathed
April 23 – The Europa League returns this week with the first legs of both semi-final matches. But for a brief time last week, it appeared there might not be a cup to hand to the eventual winner.
After 22 years the Wenger revolution that turned into a revolt is coming to an ending
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – When he arrived a generation ago, the cry went up “Arsene Who?” Three league titles, seven FA Cup trophies – including two league and cup “doubles” – and 22 years later, Arsene Wenger, the longest-serving manager in the Premier league, is finally calling it a day at the end of the season.
FIFA reform guru and Congo FA boss Omari released on bail over $1m embezzlement probe
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – Constant Omari, the Democratic Republic of Congo football association president and one-time FIFA reform official arrested as part of an embezzlement probe in his country, has been released on bail for health reasons after being held for 21 hours.
Fan fury as Premier League calls for more research on ‘safe standing’ demands
April 20 – The English Premier League has asked for more evidence to convince them to support the introduction of safe standing after the country’s sports minister refused West Bromwich Albion permission to trial the idea.
Fenerbahce semi-final abandoned after Besiktas coach Gunes hit on head
April 20 – The Turkish cup semi-final between arch-rivals Fenerbahce and Besiktas’ was abandoned after the visitors’ boss Senol Gunes was hit on the head by an object thrown from the crowd.
FIFA trains video refs for Russia and promises to keep fans in the big picture
By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – Amid widespread concern about supporters being left in the dark, FIFA have confirmed that giant screens will be used at World Cup matches for replays of incidents decided by the video assistant referee – accompanied by written explanations.
Infantino to kill off Confederations Cup in bid to grab expanded piece of club game
April 19 – In a move that is viewed in many league and confederation circles as a money-motivated assault on confederation club competition revenues by the FIFA administration, plans are reportedly afoot to ditch the Confederations Cup, the traditional World Cup warm-up tournament, and expand the Club World Cup.
Premier League comes in from the cold with first Winter break planned for 2020
April 19 – After years of debate and discussion, the Premier League finally looks set to follow much of continental Europe and introduce a winter break from the season after next.
Wolves reach Premier League promised land but are regulators snapping at their heels?
April 19 – With Wolverhampton Wanderers having secured promotion to the English Premier League focus is back on the relationship between the Chinese owners Fosun and super agent Jorge Mendes’ player dealings and his Gestifute agency, which Fosun also owns a chunk of.
FIFA fines clubs for breaches of third party ownership rules
April 19 – In the latest crackdown on third party ownership of players, FIFA have handed out a raft of sanctions to clubs for transfer deals.