Colombian women return to international play with Peru win
April 5 – Colombia women’s team have returned to the international fray with a 2-1 friendly win over Peru. They hadn’t played a competitive game for nine months.
South America
Brazil’s CBF to downsize state championships by two match days
April 4 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is considering a plan to downsize the regional state championships by at least two match days next season in order to avoid future conflicts with Brazilian national team fixtures.
Brazil’s next generation crash out of U17 regional finals
April 2 – A ten-men Brazil were eliminated from the U17 South American championship in Peru after a crushing 3-0 defeat by Argentina, but the Brazilians will still qualify for the U17 World Cup in October as hosts.
Chapecoense crash survivor Henzel dies of a heart attack playing football
March 28 – Rafael Henzel, a radio reporter who was one of only six survivors of the plane crash that killed most of the Chapecoense football team in 2016, has died of a heart attack at the age of 45.
Twitter secures broadcast deal for topflight Brazilian women’s matches
March 19 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has teamed up with social media platform Twitter in a broadcast deal for the Brazilian women’s top flight, the 2019 Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino.
Argentine FA commit to funding support for new women’s pro league
By Samindra Kunti
March 18 – The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed that the domestic women’s game will have a professional tier with the governing body saying it wants to establish a pro league later this year.
Oceania VP Harmon questions timing of his FIFA suspension day before OFC elections
March 15 – Suspended Oceania vice-president Lee Harmon has protested his innocence after being hit with a three-month ban by FIFA over the resale of tickets at last summer’s World Cup in Russia, questioning the timing and saying everything was above board.
South America’s Conmebol reports record revenue of $227 million
March 15 – The South American Football Confederation Conmebol has reported a record revenue of $227 million for 2018 after an increase in sponsorship for the continent’s flagship club competition the Copa Libertadores, but overall the organisation’s net profit fell.
Conmebol to keep 2020 Copa America at home with Argentina and Colombia co-hosting
By Samindra Kunti
March 14 – Argentina and Colombia will co-host the 2020 Copa America after the South American Football Confederation Conmebol shot down a proposal from the United States for a pan-American tournament. It’s the first time in its history that the Copa America will be co-hosted.
Colombian women win battle to keep pro league financed
By Samindra Kunti
March 13 – Colombian women’s football players have won a first battle in their fight for an equal playing field by saving the pro league which the Colombia Football Federation (FCF)wanted to disband.
Messi back in the Argentina set-up for one last attempt at glory
March 8 – Lionel Messi has returned to the Argentina squad for the first time since the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He will join Lionel Scaloni’s team later this month against Venezuela and Morocco.
Russia pitch for South American Supercup hosting
March 6 – Russia is in talks to break new ground by hosting next year’s South American Supercup, according to the country’s sports ministry.
Brazilian clubs vote to bring in VAR and bring back Supercup
February 25 – Brazilian elite football has adopted VAR for the upcoming 2019 season after a unanimous vote in favour of the video review technology. Next year the Supercup will be reintroduced, but a measure to limit teams to firing one coach per season was rejected.
Brazil’s CBF to boost Serie A with VAR plans and squad controls
February 22 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will present a number of measures to the technical council of its top league clubs to “advance” Brazilian football. They include adopting VAR in the Serie A, limiting the number of managerial changes and the introduction of a Brazilian Super Cup in 2020.
Paraguay back in the hunt for new manager after Osorio quits
February 14 – Juan Carlos Osorio and Paraguay have parted ways by mutual consent just months before this summer’s Copa America. The Colombian took over Paraguay in September, but he cited family reasons for his unexpected departure.