Foul-mouthed Messi gets 4-match ban as Argentina fall in Bolivia
March 29 – Argentina are having to cope without Lionel Messi as they try to forge a path towards next year’s World Cup.
Rummenigge takes Super League talk off the agenda saying UEFA plan works for all
By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 – The head of the body representing the majority of Europe’s leading clubs has radically changed his views about the idea of a breakaway super league now that UEFA has agreed to revamp the Champions League in favour of the biggest and wealthiest teams.
Tweets down but followers up as Chelsea overtake Arsenal in return to second spot
March 28 – In a week of international fixtures that has seen growth in the number of tweets made by Premier League clubs down by more than 50% on the previous week, growth in followers has increased by 11.5%.
Samoura says FIFA’s bloody axe is not aimed at the heads of Borbely or Eckert
By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 – Gianni Infantino’s number two has rejected rumours that FIFA are about to ditch their two top ethics officials whose rulings and judgements have brought down a raft of corrupt bigwigs.
FIFA brings in Belgian Martens to spearhead launch of FIFA ‘hubs’ worldwide
By Samindra Kunti
March 28 – The former CEO of the Belgian FA, the KBVB, Steven Martens will become FIFA’s technical director. His move to the world governing body is an interesting if somewhat peculiar appointment in a global role that currently looks to be lacking in definition and objective.
China breaks viewing records with South Korea win as attention now turns to Iran
March 28 – China’s growing thirst for football is starting to set records. The surprise win by the national team over South Korea in World Cup qualifying last Thursday broke viewing and streaming records in the country, as well as ending a more than 40 year and 32 game streak without a win.
Israeli fury as mood swings towards barring of teams in occupied territories
By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 – The impasse over football’s Middle East crisis has taken another divisive twist with FIFA reportedly backing the Palestinian cause to the fury of Israeli officials.
Mioduski steps up to take full control at Legia Warsaw
March 28 – The majority owner of Poland’s leading club Legia Warsaw, Legia Warsaw, Dariusz Mioduski (pictured) has acquired the minority shares in the club and vowed to take a hands-on role in the management.
Senegal vs Ivory Coast friendly in Paris abandoned after fans invade pitch
March 28 – An international friendly sbetween African rivals Senegal and the Ivory Coast, staged on the outskirts of Paris, was abandoned on Monday when fans invaded the pitch and confronted the players.
Maradona muddle. FIFA left in dark over ambassadorial tantrum
March 28 – FIFA say they have received no official confirmation from Diego Maradona since he threatened last week to quit his ambassadorial role.
Montagliani stakes claim to 3 automatic slots at 2026 North American World Cup
March 27 – If the United States, Canada and Mexico jointly bid for the 2026 World Cup and are successful, all three should be allowed automatic berths in the competition according to the region’s top administrator.
Ahmad starts CAF clean-out as El Amrani resigns from top job
By Andrew Warshaw
March 27 – First the president, now his trusted number two. The wind of change sweeping through African football following the stunning election defeat of Issa Hayatou has quickly snared his deputy and chief ally with Confederation of African Football (CAF) secretary general Hicham El Amrani resigning on Sunday, just over a week after Hayatou was ousted from power by Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad.
Yonghong Li drops Sino-Europe Sports to go it alone with AC Milan buy
March 27 – There has been another wrinkle in the sale of AC Milan with the date for completion now being set for April 14. The buyer will no longer be Sino-Europe Sports and the money will not be coming from China, but the owner will be Chinese.
Villa whacked up its pay load as it sank into the Championship
By David Owen
March 27 – Directors’ remuneration at Aston Villa, the proud old Midlands club now stuck in mid-table in the English second tier, almost tripled in 2015-16, its relegation season.
Dutch lose Blind faith as they crash again in Russia 2018 qualifying
March 27 – With the risk of a second consecutive major tournament qualification failure increasing, the Netherlands have sacked coach Danny Blind after the country crashed to a 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat against Bulgaria.