FIFA turns to Double pass for player data tracking
March 2 – FIFA have enlisted Belgian company Double pass as a partner to roll out a new ‘Talent Development Progamme’.
Performance
IFAB stuck with VAR decision and no ‘clear and obvious’ route to take
February 28 – It’s not VAR per se that’s at fault, it’s the law itself that’s an ass. That’s the argument often churned out by the experts whenever goals are wiped out by the video assistant referee because of marginal offside decisions such as the width of a toe.
Valencia expand internationally with Morocco academy launch
February 28 – LaLiga’s Valencia CF has added to its growing global network of academies with the opening of a new VCF Academy in Morocco.
VAR’s Premier League failure leaves everyone seeing red
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – When is VAR not VAR? When the system itself admits it has made a mistake!
Belgium extend run at top of FIFA World Rankings, Palestine move up
February 21 – In a time of little international football Belgium have remained top of the FIFA ranking. Palestine moved up the ranking following their success in January’s Bangabandhu Cup.
Inter Milan role out Academy project in Brazil with IT.Sports
February 20 – Internazionale are expanding Inter Academy portfolio, agreeing a partnership with IT.Sports to launch a series of football schools throughout country.
Wenger weighs into VAR/offside debate with new rule proposal for Euro 2020
February 18 – Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, now FIFA’s head of global development, is pushing for the offside rule to be tweaked in time for this summer’s Euro 2020 finals in response to a spate of VAR controversies this season.
VAR makes its Moroccan club debut
February 19 – Morocco has become the first African country to use VAR in a top-flight league game.
Miserable Mourinho bemoans a break he didn’t need as Son sidelined
February 19 – Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean international forward Son Heung-min has fractured his arm and could miss the rest of the season, a crushing blow to last season’s Champions League finalists who are already without long-term injury victim Harry Kane.
VAR gamechanger as Man Utd keep Maguire in play and Chelsea double chalked off
February 18 – Another Premier League fixture, another headline-making VAR controversy, this time in favour of Manchester United after not one, but two Chelsea ‘goals’ were ruled out in Monday’s high-profile clash in the race for the top four.
Frustrated Klinsmann quits touchline role for board seat at Hertha
February 12 – In what is surely one of the shortest high-profile managerial stints on record, former German national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann has stepped down as Hertha Berlin’s interim head coach after just 10 weeks in charge citing a lack of support and trust.
Infantino says English needs to get to grips with VAR
February 10 – The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is not being used properly in some countries according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Barca and Real Madrid crash out of Spain’s Copa del Rey
February 7 – The names of neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid will be on the Copa del Rey this season after both were sensationally knocked out of the Spanish cup at the quarterfinal stage.
English FA to bring in new heading rules for youth training but not matches
February 6 – The English Football Association is to introduce new guidelines limiting the amount of heading children will be allowed to do in training.
Player power: Messi turns heat on Abidal over criticism of not working hard
February 6 – Lionel Messi has criticised Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal over an interview in which the Frenchman criticised Barcelona players for not working hard.