Colombian legend Freddy Rincón dies in car crash, aged 55
April 14 – Aged 55, Colombia great Freddy Rincón has died after sustaining severe head injuries in a car crash. Rincón had been driving a car that collided with a bus in Cali.
South America
Conmebol and UEFA open joint London office, Finalissima sold out in a week
April 4 – The shared London office between Conmebol and UEFA was opened today (Monday) with the announcement that the first major project between the two confederations, the Finalissima match at Wembley between Argentina and Italy, is already sold out.
CBF won’t block a new club-owned top tier league, says Rodrigues
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
April 4 – The new president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) Ednaldo Rodrigues has confirmed that the governing body will leading clubs to form a new league, a move that gathered momentum last year as the CBF struggled with another institutional crisis.
Re-elected Dominguez says he prefers building with Europe over a biennial World Cup
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
April 1 – Alejandro Dominguez, newly re-elected as president of Conmebol, wasted no time in saying he preferred the idea of South American teams participating in the Nations League over a biennial World Cup.
Ednaldo Rodrigues takes CBF presidency claiming a win against racism and prejudice
March 24 – Brazilian football has a new boss. After rudderless months, Ednaldo Rodrigues has been elected the new president of the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) for a four-year term.
Wembley tickets for Finalissima 2022 on sale with prices starting at £25
March 23 – Tickets for the Wembley play-off between the national team champions of Europe and South America – dubbed the Finalissima 2022 – go on sale Thursday with category 3 tickets priced at £25.
Ceferin opens door for South Americans to join Europe’s Nations League
March 11 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has suggested that South American teams could feature in the Nations League in the near future.
CFG bid €180m for control of Brazilian champions Atletico Mineiro
By Samindra Kunti
March 8 – City Football Group (CFG), owners of Manchester City and a slate of clubs around the world, is bidding to take over Brazilian champions Atletico Mineiro.
Palmeiras bounce back after CWC final loss to win South American Super Cup
By Samindra Kunti in Sao Paulo
March 3 – Palmeiras defeated Athletico Paranaense 2-0 to claim the South American Super Cup 4-2 on aggregate and their first prize under new club president Leila Pereira.
Tite says Qatar 2022 will be his final bow
February 28 – Brazil coach Tite will step down after the 2022 World Cup, bringing to an end a 7.5-year reign irrespective of the five-time world champions’ result in Qatar.
CBF ends any chance of Caboclo return with extension of his ban
February 25 – Rogerio Caboclo’s time at the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) has come to a definite end following a new 20-month suspension which will prevent him from returning to his role before the end of his mandate in April 2023.
Pele health complications keep him hospitalised
February 22 – Pele is to stay in hospital for a urinary tract infection having already been receiving chemotherapy for a colon tumour.
First blood to Atletico Mineiro with Super Cup shoot out win over Flamengo
February 21 – Atletico Mineiro have won the Brazilian Super Cup, defeating rivals Flamengo 8-7 from the penalty spot after a nail-biting 2-2 draw.
Brazilian breakaway league gathers pace as 10 clubs form ‘Forte Futebol’ alliance
By Samindra Kunti
February 18 – Ten Brazilian top flight clubs have formed ‘Forte Futebol’, a group to bolster a collective bargaining position amid ongoing talks over a breakaway league.
Brazil and Argentina to replay abandoned qualifier; Martinez, Lo Celso, Romero, Buendia banned
By Samindra Kunti
February 15 – FIFA have ordered Brazil and Argentina to replay their World Cup qualifier that was abandoned last September when Brazilian health officials stormed the pitch in Sao Paulo over alleged Covid-19 accusations by Argentinian visitors.