Concacaf reports record interest in Girls’ U15 Championship to be played across 3 countries
April 26 – A record 35 nations have expressed interest in competing in the 2024 Concacaf Girls’ U15 Championship to be held in August 5-11.
World Football
ECA launches sustainability strategy as a ‘priority’ for all stakeholders
April 25 – The European Club Association has launched its first Sustainability Strategy which the organisation hopes will tackle several pressing social and environment issues facing the game.
Map reading: CAF awards Renaissance Berkane win over USM Alger after game cancelled
April 25 – Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane have been awarded a 3-0 win over Algerian rivals USM Alger in their African Confederation Cup semi-final after the game was cancelled at the 11th hour over a row about Berkane’s shirts.
Union of European Clubs appoints Belgium’s Union Saint-Gillloise boss, Alex Muzio, as first chair
April 25 – Chairman of Belgian club Union Saint-Gillloise Alex Muzio has been elected the president of the Union of European Clubs (UEC) with co-founders Dennis Gudasic and Gareth Farrelly elected to other key roles.
No head for heights: Flamengo lose first match of 2024 to Bolivar
April 25 – In their first defeat of 2024, Brazilian giants Flamengo went down 2-1 to Bolivar to cede the initiative in Group E of the Copa Libertadores to the Bolivian club.
English FA drafts in Sue Day from rugby union as new director of football
April 25 – The English Football Association has announced the appointment of Sue Day as its new director of women’s football.
English FA’s grassroots support programme for disabled people wins UEFA recognition
April 25 – The English Football Association has introduced a new wide-ranging support package to help grassroots clubs facilitate participation for disabled people, with the project winning the 2023/24 UEFA Grassroots Award for best disability initiative.
Columbus Crew take lead to Monterrey for Champions Cup semi-final 2nd leg. Club America and Pachuca tied
April 25 – Columbus Crew will take a slight advantage into the second leg of their Champions Cup semi-final in Monterrey next week, having won their home tie 2-1 last night.
Slots for W Champions Cup groups released with 7 clubs already qualified
April 25 – San Diego Wave, NY/NJ Gotham and Portland Thorns from the NWSL will be the US cohort of clubs qualified for the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup that kicks off in August.
ECA membership pushes past 600-club mark
April 25 – The European Club Association (ECA) is winning the membership battle in the football clubs stakeholder space against the newly formed Union of European Clubs (UEC).
Zambian FA boss Andrew Kamanga charged with fraud ahead of FAZ AGM this weekend
April 24 – The president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Andrew Kamanga was arrested and charged with money laundering offences on Tuesday before being released.
Premier League’s Masters leads English leagues’ warning over dangers of imposing a regulator on English game
April 24 – The Premier League has again cautioned about the potential risks associated with the establishment of an independent regulator for English football.
UEFA Board calls for ‘firm’ discipline for players faking injury and less abuse of officials
April 24 – Some of European football’s most distinguished former players and coaches say VAR needs to become more “consistent, transparent and understandable” and that faking injury and the abuse of officials both need to be urgently addressed.
Welsh FA launches major overhaul of its top tier league with expansion on and off the pitch
April 24 – The Welsh FA (FAW) has launched a six-year strategy through to 2030 for the overhaul of the top tier of its men’s league, the JD Cymru Premier League, to make it more competitive on and off the field, and boost its commercial positioning as it reformats both the league and its calendar.
UEFA selects 19 referee roster for Euro 2024
April 23 – The UEFA Referees’ Committee has announced 19 referees, their referee assistant teams, and the video/support match officials, who will take charge of the 51 matches at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.