AFC streaming platforms hits 18.9m views across 122 countries
March 5 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) now has 28 of its member associations using its streaming platform that debuted in July 2016 in Bhutan.
FIFA rulemakers fast forward Video Refs to Russia 2018 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
March 4 – So now it’s official. No turning back. But are there still more questions than answers? As anticipated, video assistant referees are set to be used at this year’s World Cup in Russia after football’s lawmakers, the International FA Board (IFAB), voted to roll out the technology when they met at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Saturday.
Leicester break Premier League records with £92.5m profit
By David Owen
March 3 – The full business benefits of Leicester City’s surprise charge to the Premier League title a couple of seasons ago have finally emerged, with the Midlands club announcing a towering pre-tax profit of £92.5 million for the year to 31 May 2017.
Greek court hands down multiple prison sentence in Koriopolis matchfixing case
By Mark Baber
March 2 – The three-member Court of Appeal in Athens has punished 58 people for their roles in the Greek ‘Koriopolis’ match-fixing scandal in 2011, including the handing down of a large number of prison sentences.
Infantino opens FIFA’s Equality and Inclusion conference opens with call to action
By Samindra Kunti in Zurich
March 2 – Gianni Infantino kicked off FIFA’s 4th Conference for Equality and Inclusion with a strong message and call to action to attendees. Although not on the agenda, the ban of women in Iranian football stadiums, in force ever since 1979, provided a subtext to his address.
Liverpool bounce out of the red with £39m profit
By David Owen
March 2 – Liverpool have become the latest Premier League club to report strong 2016-17 profits. The Merseysiders, one of four sides vying for the runners-up spot in this season’s Premier League behind Manchester City, posted an after-tax result of £39 million for the year to 31 May 2017 – a £60 million swing from the prior season’s loss of £21 million.
FIFA rule-makers gather for game changing decision on VAR and 2018 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
March 2 – Imagine the scene. It’s the opening game of the World Cup in Russia and the anticipation is at fever pitch in the stadium with billions more eagerly watching on television.
Iranian women arrested at Tehran derby. Infantino says he has promises this will stop
By Samindra Kunti
March 2 – Iran detained 34 women who tried to attend the Tehran derby between Esteqlal and Persepolis on Thursday. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also in attendance, along with Iranian Sports Minister Masour Soltanifar.
Nottingham Forest record club sponsorship with Macron
March 2 – English Championship club Nottingham Forest, anxious and ambitious for a return to the Premier League, have announced the “biggest sponsorship agreement in the club’s history” with Italy-based sportswear company Macron.
Blatter says World Cup should not be used as an ‘experiment’ for VAR
March 2 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has appealed to football’s lawmakers not to give the green light to video assistant referees being allowed at the World Cup in Russia this summer.
Science in Sport supplement Man Utd sponsor roster in multi-year regional deal
March 2 – Manchester United have signed sports nutrition experts Science in Sport as their Official Sports Nutrition Partner in the UK and Europe.
SIGA to host special session in Paris focussing on gender equality, March 7
March 2 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) is to hold a one-day conference focusing on gender equality on March 7 in Paris, the day before International Women’s Day.
Ekstraklasa builds case for Polish esports league with Lagardère Sports
March 2 – Polish league Ekstraklasa has teamed up with Lagardère Sports Poland to explore the next steps for the league in establishing a stronger esports presence.
São Paulo swaps Under Armour for Adidas in improved kit deal
March 2 – The Brazilian club market for kit sponsorship deals is hotting up. Last week Santos forced Umbro into a renegotiation of a deal signed just four months ago. This week São Paulo announced they are ditching Under Armour for Adidas.
Tackling Matchfixing: FIFPro and the ICSA join conference as supporting partners
March 1 – International players union FIFPro and the ICSA, the UK governance institute, have become supporting partners of the first edition of the Tackling Matchfixing conference to be held at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel in Chelsea, London, March 9-10.