CONCACAF’s new referees chief to build competence after Gold Cup fiasco
By Paul Nicholson
March 10 – CONCACAF have appointed a new director of refereeing following a review of its Refereeing Department earlier in the year.
World Football
DFS gets first regulation but Eaton warns US needs total culture change to beat gangsters
By Paul Nicholson
March 9 – Regulation of the runaway Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) business in the US took a step closer in Virginia this week, but a ruling is still awaited in New York over whether DFS games operated by DraftKings and FanDuel are illegal or not.
Women in Football survey finds sexism is still major issue in British football
By Mark Baber
March 9 – A new Women in Football (WiF) survey, the results of which were published on Tuesday, presents a worrying picture of sexism in the workplace within UK football, including significant rises in those who have personally suffered bullying and sexual harassment.
Money laundering US match agent pleads guilty in NY court, Esquivel says ‘not me’
By Andrew Warshaw
March 9 – The FifaGate corruption scandal that has already snared 41 individuals and entities allegedly involved in more than $200 million of bribes and kickbacks has widened still further after Miguel Trujillo (pictured), a Florida-based consultant licensed to arrange official matches between member associations, admitted charges against him when he appeared in a Brooklyn court.
Nordic nations discuss joint bid for 2024 or 2028 Euros hosting
By Mark Baber
March 7 – The Danish Football Association (DBU) announced officially on Friday that it, along with the football associations from Sweden, Norway and Finland is exploring the possibility of bidding for European Championship hosting in 2024 or 2028.
Nordic nations discuss joint bid for 2024 or 2028 Euros hosting
By Mark Baber
March 7 – The Danish Football Association (DBU) announced officially on Friday that it, along with the football associations from Sweden, Norway and Finland is exploring the possibility of bidding for European Championship hosting in 2024 or 2028.
Dutch revamp leagues to boost competitive structure
By Samindra Kunti
March 7 – The Dutch FA, the KNVB, is further fine-tuning a structural reform of its domestic club football. From the 2016/17 season onwards professional and amateur football in the Netherlands will be integrated through a mandatory system of promotion and relegation. In a latest reform the ‘Topklasse’ has been rebranded as ‘Derde Divisie’ (Third Division).
Beckham says world class players are lining up for his Miami MLS franchise
By Ben Nicholson
March 7 – David Beckham’s Miami franchise dream is very much alive and kicking, and he says that it is not just his dream, revealing that some world class players have been “showing interest” in his upcoming MLS franchise.
UEFA wait for Platini but could still have a new leader by Euros
By Andrew Warshaw
March 4 – UEFA could elect a new president just before the start of the European Championship finals in June if Michel Platini fails to clear his name.
Tax and fraud investigators swoop on Belgian FA
By Samindra Kunti
March 4 – Local law enforcement authorities are investigating possible tax evasion and a conflict of interests at the Belgian FA KBVB. The torrent of allegations of financial mismanagement may make the position of KBVB president François De Keersmaecker (pictured) untenable.
Atletico Madrid and Club Brugges join Future Champions tournament line-up in Gauteng
By Paul Nicholson
March 4 – The team line-up for one of the most prestigious U17 club tournaments in the world is almost complete with the addition of Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge to the 2016 Future Champions Gauteng International Tournament that takes place March 14-21.
Chastain to donate brain for concussion research
March 4 – US soccer icon Brandi Chastain, whose penalty won the women’s World Cup against China in 1999, has agreed to donate her brain for research into concussion.
Olympiakos again; Abandoned cup match sees government suspend competition
By Andrew Warshaw
March 4 – Greek football has been plunged into yet more disgrace after the government cancelled the domestic cup competition when the first leg of the semi-final between PAOK Salonika and Olympiakos Piraeus was abandoned due to crowd trouble.
Jimenez bailed for $4m as plea bargain process begins
March 3 – The former president of the Guatemalan FA, Brayan Jimenez, pleaded not guilty and was released on $1.5 million bail Wednesday 24 hours after being extradited to the United States to faces charges for his alleged role in football’s global corruption scandal.
ITV looks to Euro 2016 to boost flat advertising performance
By Mark Baber
March 3 – UK broadcaster ITV is banking on the Euro 2016 Tournament in France to boost its ad revenues after a flat performance in the first quarter.