Man City look to the future with kids app aimed at engaging 6-12 year-olds
April 24 – Manchester City is launching a free children’s app – Man City Kids – aimed at 6-12 year olds.
Maxwell’s house: Scottish FA appoint Patrick Thistle boss to lead national game
April 24 – Ian Maxwell has been appointed the Scottish FA’s new chief executive and has promised “to shape a better future”.
Renewed allegations surface of FIFA plot to exclude Morocco from 2026 vote in June
By Andrew Warshaw
April 23 – Just days after FIFA’s 2026 World Cup evaluation panel completed its inspection visits to the two candidates, fresh claims have emerged of unfair treatment towards Morocco that threaten to undermine the all-important vote in June.
German FA opens membership doors to esports teams
By Samindra Kunti
April 23 – The German Football Association, DFB, has opened up its membership to e-sports team, limiting new entrants to those with a focus on football.
Nicaraguan violence forces CONCACAF to end Women’s U17 Championship
April 23 – CONCACAF has canceled the rest of its 2018 Women’s Under-17 Championship following violence in Managua, Nicaragua, where the tournament began Thursday.
La Liga posts record €3.6 billion revenue figure and promises more to come
April 23 – LaLiga has released record revenue figures for 2016-17 showing the Spanish league generating €3.662 billion, a 15.6% increase of €495 million on the previous season. LaLiga is moving aggressively in international markets and domestically to build the value of its commercial rights, vocally targeting the Premier League and its dominant international position, particularly as regards broadcast revenue.
Drama and tension as Japan beat Australian to retain AFC Women’s Asian Cup
April 21 – Japan held on to their Asian champions title beating Australia 1-0 in the final of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 final in Amman, Jordan, last Friday.
Liverpool’s Salah strikes again with Player of the Year award
April 21 – Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has been named England’s Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) – the first player from his country to receive the annual award.
Europa League trophy comes through Mexican adventure unscathed
April 23 – The Europa League returns this week with the first legs of both semi-final matches. But for a brief time last week, it appeared there might not be a cup to hand to the eventual winner.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup draw to close with Japan defending title against Australia
By Paul Nicholson
April 20 – The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 concludes tonight in Amman, Jordan, with Australia facing reigning champions Japan. The final will follow on from the play-off for third place between China and tournament surprise package Thailand.
After 22 years the Wenger revolution that turned into a revolt is coming to an ending
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – When he arrived a generation ago, the cry went up “Arsene Who?” Three league titles, seven FA Cup trophies – including two league and cup “doubles” – and 22 years later, Arsene Wenger, the longest-serving manager in the Premier league, is finally calling it a day at the end of the season.
FIFA reform guru and Congo FA boss Omari released on bail over $1m embezzlement probe
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – Constant Omari, the Democratic Republic of Congo football association president and one-time FIFA reform official arrested as part of an embezzlement probe in his country, has been released on bail for health reasons after being held for 21 hours.
Is Liverpool drowning in a foul Tibet Water deal?
By Paul Nicholson
April 20 – Liverpool’s controversial sponsorship partnership with Tibet Water is refusing to stay out the headlines with a group of 25 English MPs having written to the club asking them to end their deal.
Naughty Red Imp Bradley Wood banned for betting on his own bookings, twice
April 20 – In the latest match fixing-related case to hit English football, a lower-league player has been banned for six years for twice intentionally getting booked.
Fan fury as Premier League calls for more research on ‘safe standing’ demands
April 20 – The English Premier League has asked for more evidence to convince them to support the introduction of safe standing after the country’s sports minister refused West Bromwich Albion permission to trial the idea.