Ticket sales open for Poland U-20 World Cup
February 26 – Ticket sales for the U-20 FIFA World Cup began on Monday as Visa cardholders got an exclusive window to apply for matches at the first-ever FIFA competition to be staged in Poland.
Just another storm in Chelsea’s teacup: Kepa keeps his place but loses a week’s wages
February 26 – So much for a mere misunderstanding. Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been fined a week’s wages and apologised for refusing to be substituted during Sunday’s English League Cup final defeat by Manchester City, an incident which made global headlines.
Rosell starts trial facing prosecutors’ call for 11 years in Spanish jail and €60m fine
February 25 – The high-profile trial of Sandro Rosell, the former Barcelona strongman who is accused of money laundering related to television rights and sponsorship of the Brazilian national football team, finally got under way today with Spanish prosecutors seeking an 11-year prison sentence plus a fine of nearly €60 million.
FIFA’s big bosses strip Peru of October’s U17 World Cup hosting
February 25 – Yet another country has been stripped of hosting rights but this time it is not a regional competition but, unusually, FIFA’s very own under-17 World Cup due to be staged in just eight months’ time.
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.
Gazprom boss Dyukov takes over as RFU president
February 25 – The end of an era in Russian football has been confirmed with Alexander Dyukov, chief executive of oil giant Gazprom, named as Vitaly Mutko’s replacement as president of the Russian Football Union (RFU).
LaLiga becomes official partner of World Cup organisers Beach Soccer Worldwide
February 25 – Beach Soccer Worldwide, organisers of FIFA’s Beach Soccer World Cup, have signed LaLiga as an Official Global Partner until the end of the 2020/2021 season.
A$5m name game: Fox and FFA lock horns over new ‘Melbourne-ish’ franchise
February 25 – Australian club Western United’s decision to not incorporate ‘Melbourne’ in its name could cost Football Federation Australia (FFA) A$5 million in annual TV rights as Fox Sports seeks to challenge its obligation to increase future payments for the broadcasting deal.
Malaysia to host inaugural Airmarine Cup in advance of 2022 World Cup qualifiers
February 25 – Malaysia, Singapore, Solomon Islands and Oman will compete in the inaugural Airmarine 2019 Cup in Malaysia in March.
Arrizabalaga’s on-off League Cup drama caps a tumultuous week for Chelsea
February 25 – Have you ever seen anything like it? That was the widespread reaction to the extraordinary scenes that marked the climax of Sunday’s English League Cup final won by Manchester City, who retained the trophy on penalties following a goalless draw with Chelsea.
UEFA closes 2021 Champions League bidding but opens up for 2022 and 2023
February 25 – Germany and Russia are going head-to-head for the hosting of the 2021 Champions League finals with Munich and St Petersburg as the candidate cities.
Exclusive: Afghan Popal defiantly battles a global issue facing women players
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – The former head of women’s football in Afghanistan says she would be killed if she ever returned to the country for lifting the lid on the abuse of women players.
FIFA hit Chelsea with transfer ban until Jan 2020 for signing 29 under-age foreign players
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – Big-spending Chelsea, in the headlines for much of the season for all the wrong reasons, have been slapped with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA and fined CHF600,000 after being found guilty of illegally signing no fewer than 29 under-age foreign players.
Bolivia ready to join South American bid for 2030 World Cup hosting
By Samindrra Kunti
February 22 – Bolivia has offered to join Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay in their bid to host the 2030 World Cup, promoting the idea of a pan-South American World Cup.
Roy of the Rovers scores new boot deal with Gola
By Paul Nicholson
February 22 – Goalscoring legend Roy Race, the iconic Melchester Rovers striker who has created more ‘wonder moments’ than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi combined and has never been convicted of tax evasion, has a new boot deal.