By Andrew Warshaw
April 30 – In what can only be construed as a rap over the knuckles, FIFA has been quick to clarify its rules of conduct over government interference following last week’s remarkable politically-charged tweet by US President Donald Trump that appeared to violate the 2026 World Cup bid process.
“What will be the future of Wembley Stadium?” This might have been a headline last week, as news emerged of a possible deal to sell Europe’s best jumbo-sized football venue to Shahid Khan, owner of tier-two Fulham and the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL).
By Samindra Kunti
April 30 – Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah has been angered over the unauthorised use of his image, blaming the Egyptian Football Association in a dispute that comes less than two months before the World Cup in Russia.
April 30 – Former Brazilian FA (CBF) president Marco Polo Del Nero, who had his suspension turned into a life ban for bribery and corruption by FIFA’s ethics committee last Friday, says he will appeal against the verdict even though it wouldn’t appear he has much chance of clearing his name.
April 30 – Three weeks after being fired as Japan’s national coach, Vahid Halilhodzic says he still doesn’t know why he was ousted as he launched a passionate defence of his time of charge.
By Paul Nicholson
April 30 – Ellis Short (pictured), US billionaire of former Premier League club Sunderland, is selling up and getting out of English football after a ten-year ownership spell that has seem him lose £250 million.
April 30 – China’s football expansion beyond the 11-a-side game has a new commercial supporter with electric bike company Yadea announcing that they have become the title sponsor of the country’s elite futsal league – Sina Elite 5X5 Football League 2018.
April 30 – Argentine legend Diego Maradona has left as coach of Al Fujairah by mutual consent after the club missed out on automatic promotion from the United Arab Emirates’ second division.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 27 – The increasingly bitter race to stage the 2026 World Cup has been plunged into unchartered and unprecedented territory after tweets by US president Donald Trump appeared to violate strict FIFA rules over the bid process.
April 27 – Former Brazilian FA (CBF) president Marco Polo Del Nero, already suspended by FIFA’s Ethics committee last December, has had that suspension turned into a life ban from all football-related activities at both national and international level.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 27 – Just six days after apparently being reported to FIFA’s ethics committee for an alleged conflict of interest relating to Morocco’s 2026 World Cup bid, FIFA number two Fatma Samoura has been told she has no case to answer, fuelling speculation of a botched behind-the-scenes plot to have the Moroccans thrown out of the process.
April 27 – In a move that has split public opinion across the nation, the most iconic venue in English football, the national stadium at Wembley, could be sold within weeks following a multi-millionaire pound bid by US billionaire Shahid Khan.
April 27 – In an important case that could potentially have implications for player image rights, a European court has ruled that Argentina and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, can trademark his own name for use on sports and clothing equipment.
April 27 – The Turkish Football Federation have announced that the remainder of the Turkish Cup semifinal, abandoned because of crowd trouble by Fenerbahce fans, will take place on May 3 behind closed doors – but Besiktas say they will refuse to turn up.
April 27 – Premier League Liverpool have announced a youth coaching project in Kunming, the capital city of SW China’s Yunnan province, that will initially provide coaching to a selection of schools.