Exclusive: Brexit 1 The Football Association 0, but it’s early doors
By David Owen
February 27 – Britain’s vote to leave the European Union (EU) had a significant impact on the Football Association’s 2016 results.
From hero to zero. Leicester’s Thai owners show ruthless streak in sacking Ranieri
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – It was described as the greatest ever miracle in team sport, a triumph that defied all logic at odds of 5000 to 1. But nine months after guiding Leicester City to the most unlikely of English Premier League titles, Claudio Ranieri has been shown the door by the club’s Thai owners in what must rank as one of football’s most disgraceful sackings even by today’s standards of harsh business decisions.
Infantino gets his man? Chiyangwa lines up African votes against Hayatou
February 24 – Zimbabwe FA president Philip Chiyangwa (pictured), head of the COSAFA region of 14 states, is rapidly emerging as the kingmaker in next month’s ballot for Confederation of African Football president.
Hopes for Kuwaiti reform on hold as country’s football descends into chaos
By Matt Scott
February 24 – Kuwait’s opportunity for rapprochement with the global football community could be more limited than it seemed at first sight if the man who replaces the controversial former sports minister turns out not to be committed to reform – and the signs are not good.
Barcelona launches plan for ‘giant’ academy at China’s world leading Mission Hills resort
By Paul Nicholson
February 24 – Spanish giants Barcelona have teamed up with Mission Hills, the world’s largest golf and leisure resort in Haikou, China, to launch the club’s first overseas FCB football academy directly managed by the club.
Maracana thrown a lifeline but is it too little too late for the world’s most iconic stadium?
By Samindra Kunti
February 24 – The Maracana stadium will reopen in March with Rio club Flamengo hosting a Copa Libertadores match, but the future of the venue remains in doubt as bidders appear to be getting cold feet over taking on the management challenge of the iconic stadium.
Ceferin scoffs at Super League talk saying Euro competitions must stay open for all
February 24 – UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has once again dismissed the idea of a breakaway European super league, repeatedly mooted as an inevitability despite UEFA’s decision to reform the Champions league in favour of the continent’s top four domestic leagues.
Belgian hat-trick on night of Europa League glory. Man Utd head for Russia
By Samindra Kunti
February 24 – On a historic night for Belgian football, AA Gent, KRC Genk and RSC Anderlecht all progressed from the Europa League’s round of 32. In the round of 16 Manchester United, the biggest team left in the competition, will face Russia’s FC Rostov.
Rooney staying at Man Utd as big money Chinese move fails to materialise
February 24 – England captain Wayne Rooney has ended talk of a possible move to China saying he wants to remain at Manchester United.
Hyundai manoeuvres into co-title sponsorship of Singapore’s S.League
February 24 – Singapore’s S- League has signed Hyundai Motors as a new co-title sponsor in a two-year deal believed to be worth $1 million.
Infantino urges Qatar to ensure 2022 World Cup leaves a lasting historical legacy
February 24 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has spoken of the need for Qatar to leave a lasting legacy when it stages the 2022 World Cup, almost certainly the last with 32 finalists.
Exclusive: Welsh challenger O’Connor stakes claim for a seat at UEFA’s top table
By Andrew Warshaw
February 23 – When the previously little-known Aleksander Ceferin gained a stunning victory to win the presidency of UEFA last September, his landslide 42-13 triumph over Michael van Praag was a giant statement for the smaller European federations like his own Slovenia.
AFC lands Allianz as major club competition sponsor in four-year deal
February 23 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has added another official sponsor partner for its club competitions with international financial services company Allianz becoming the first sponsor in this category.
Chinese march on the Saints gets a rival second column
By Paul Nicholson
February 23 – Chinese interest in acquiring Premier League Southampton looks to have doubled with a reported £246 million bid from materials giant Amer International and CITIC Securities to rival the Lander Sports Development bid of £200 million that was rejected by the club’s owner Katarina Liebherr.
Politics and money. FIFA head to Caribbean with Jamaica to host federation workshop
By Paul Nicholson
February 23 – FIFA is continuing its meeting of member nations in regional workshops with the latest stop on their schedule being Jamaica, March 1-4, where 14 Caribbean member associations will be gathered.