Argentina’s new top brass head for Zurich in bid to get Messi ban halved
April 18 – Lionel Messi could have his four-match international suspension halved at an appeal hearing next month, according to Argentina reports.
Nice to return to CL play as they keep pressure on PSG and Monaco
April 18 – OGC Nice have booked a ticket for next season’s Champions League after a comfortable 3-1 win against Nancy, guaranteeing a top three finish in Ligue 1.
Brighton’s bust to boom journey takes them to Premier League’s promised land
By Andrew Warshaw
April 18 – It may not match Leicester City’s Premier League title success last season — arguably the greatest ever team sport feat – but fans of Brighton and Hove Albion are celebrating another remarkable landmark.
Bastia fans twice invade pitch forcing Lyons match to be abandoned
April 17 – A French Ligue 1 match between Bastia and Lyon was abandoned at the weekend after the Corsican home fans twice invaded the pitch to try and attack opposition players.
Failed relegation fight took toll on Newcastle United profits
By David Owen
April 17 – Newcastle United, the Tyneside club close to sealing an immediate return to the Premier League under big-name Spanish manager Rafa Benítez, have reported a sharp downturn in profits for their relegation season. Pre-tax profit plunged to £4.2 million for the year to 30 June 2016, against £36.2 million, the second-highest in the league, in 2014-15.
Six World Cup stadia become part of corruption probe into Brazilian construction scandal
By Samindra Kunti
April 14 – Six out of Brazil’s 12 World Cup stadiums were constructed amid financial irregularities, according to documents from construction giant Odebrecht as Brazil’s large corruption scandal Lava Jato (operation car wash) deepens further.
Violent clashes delay start of Lyon vs Besiktas Europa League quarter-final
April 14 – Clashes between French and Turkish fans delayed a Europa League quarter-final kick off by 45 minutes on Thursday before Lyon came from behind to beat Besiktas 2-1, throwing into question next week’s return leg in Istanbul.
Berlusconi completes €740m AC Milan sale to Chinese and US investors
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – Silvio Berlusconi has completed his long running sale of Serie A giants AC Milan to Chinese-owned Rossoneri Sport Luxembourg for €740 million.
Chiyangwa calls for AFCON rights to be stripped from Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Guinea
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Ambitious Zimbabwean FA leader Philip Chiyangwa, who heads the 14-strong Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), has written to the new head of African football to officially protest over the manner in which hosting rights for the African Cup of Nations were handled by the previous regime.
Teqball goes official with debut of international federation and a World Cup
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – The football training game Teqball now has an official international federation to organise competitions and championships. Launched at the end of last month in Budapest, Hungary, the Fédération International de Teqball (FITEQ), will champion the game and register official players and teams.
Mexican opinion rebels against 2026 bid pact as ‘crumbs’ and a lack of ‘respect’
April 13 – Mexican players and commentators have reacted with irritation verging on anger at the decision to hand the country only 10 of the 80 matches at the 2026 World Cup if the tournament, as expected, goes to CONCACAF.
Money points to a Barca, Bayern or Real CL win, but can Juve upset the cash balance
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – The last eight teams in the Champions League quarter finals show a disparity of income that would indicate the 2017 winners will almost inevitable be one of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich. But with Juventus taking a three goal lead into their second leg at Barcelona and Real Madrid or Bayern destined to knock one or the other out, the comparative have-nots might still have their day.
Dortmund complain UEFA gave players no choice over rescheduled Monaco game
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Handed a rare home defeat in their re-arranged Champions League quarterfinal first leg, Borussia Dortmund have thrown the book at UEFA claiming European football’s governing body “totally ignored” the players’ state of mind following the previous day’s explosions near the team bus that led to the fixture being postponed for a mere 24 hours.
EFL clubs confirm introduction of goalline technology for next season
April 13 – Goalline technology will be used in this season’s English Championship play-offs before being introduced in all second-tier matches in 2017-18.
Leicester fans clash with Madrid police before Athletico match
April 13 – Leicester City fans were involved in ugly clashes with Spanish police ahead of their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid in the latest outbreak of violence involving English supporters.