Tackling Matchfixing: FIFA act to protect 2018 World Cup against fixers
By Andrew Warshaw
March 9 – FIFA are to hold a special training course ahead of the World Cup to make sure there is no temptation to fix matches.
Gold Cup 2025
USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica
USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
Tackling matchfixing: Lower leagues remain soft targets for criminal match fixers
By Patrick Kelly-Burton
March 8 – Lower leagues in world football are at far greater risk of being rigged than the top divisions which enjoy most of the surveillance.
European campaign sparks king-sized jump in valuations of Leicester’s players
By David Owen
March 9 – Leicester’s Champions League adventure has combined with general inflation in player transfers to push the market value of Riyad Mahrez and the rest of the Foxes’ squad to above £300 million, according to the Thai-controlled club’s directors.
Brazilian politico promotes bill to make VAR compulsory
March 9 – Brazilian federal representative Edson Moreira has designed a bill that would make the use of the video referee compulsory in Brazil’s professional competitions. In February, Brazil’s elite clubs voted against the use of VAR.
UEFA charge PSG and Basel for fan disturbances
March 8 – UEFA have charged Paris St- Germain and Basel following their fans’ behaviour during their respective Champions League last-16 matches this week.
Blatter wants FIFA Ethics to take another look, says United 2026 bid is nailed on
March 9 – Banned former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he still hasn’t given up trying to clear his name and intends to ask the new-look FIFA ethics committee to reconsider his case and lift his six-year ban.
Italy mourns Fiorentina captain Davide Astori, 31
March 9 – Thousands of fans and representatives of every Serie A club turned out on Thursday for the funeral of former Fiorentina captain and Italian international Davide Astori, who died suddenly at the age of 31 last weekend.
Minerva crowned Indian I-League champions in fairy tale season finish
March 9 – Minerva FC were crowned Indian champions on Thursday following a tight 1-0 win over Churchill Brothers from Goa to see off contenders East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Neroca.
Tackling Matchfixing conference kicks off Friday March 9
March 8 – The Tackling Matchfixing conference in London’s Chelsea Harbour will see more over 25 specialists in the area address the key dangers to sport and how football and sports judiciary and integrity bodies are battling the matchfixing plague.
United 2026 bid reshuffles executive pack with Gulati stepping back and Cordeiro forward
By Andrew Warshaw
March 8 – One week before bid books are due to be handed in to FIFA by the two rival contenders for the 2026 World Cup, Sunil Gulati has stepped down as the main man for the three-nation US-Canada-Mexico bid as part of a reshuffle.
Seven postponements for seven sins. Webb sentencing delayed again
March 8 – Former FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb has had his sentence in the FIFA-gate scandal pushed back for a seventh time after submissions in court were accepted earlier this week.
CONCACAF unleashes Nations League, promotion, relegation and expanded Gold Cup
By Paul Nicholson
March 8 – CONCACAF have announced the structure and completed the first draw for their new tiered Nations League men’s national team competition that will ultimately include all 41 confederation members.
Challenging stereotypes: Barca’s women’s team tooled up with Stanley Black & Decker
March 8 – Championing equality in all forms of life, workperson’s tools and security brand Stanley Black & Decker have announced they have extended their sponsorship of FC Barcelona, adding the club’s Women’s team to its sponsorship portfolio.
Snow days have little impact as Crystal Palace fans warm to close of season survival battle
March 8 – The snow and cold weather that gripped England last week and into the weekend failed to have much impact in premier League attendances for Round 29 of the season.
Micciché takes on Serie A presidency in interim role
March 8 – Gaetano Micciché will become the new temporary president of Italy’s Serie A following an announcement by Giovanni Malago, the Italian Olympic Committee president.