Fairy tale finish for Ivory Coast at home hosted Afcon 2024
February 12 – As footballing miracles go, it was surely right up there.
US Soccer give Division One status to new women’s pro USL Super League
February 12 – The NWSL, the US’s top tier women’s professional league has a new rival with the U.S. Soccer Federation’s sanctioning of the start up USL Super League as a Division One League.
Brazil out of 2024 Olympic games after losing Argentina qualifier
February 12 – Brazil will not defend their gold medal at the Olympic Games of Paris after missing out on qualification. They lost 1-0 to Argentina in a crucial qualifier.
Wwin signs 5-year naming rights deal for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s top tier league
February 12 – The Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FSbiH) has signed a sponsorship contract with online bookmaker Wwin.
China cancels Argentina vs Nigeria friendly after fury over non-playing Messi’s ‘insult’
February 12 – The fallout from Lionel Messi’s failure to play for Inter Miami in an exhibition match in Hong Kong has spread with both of Argentina’s upcoming friendly matches as part of a tour of mainland China cancelled by local authorities.
Just Eat agrees renews UEFA sponsorship for new 3-year cycle
February 12 – UEFA has announced that long-term partners Just Eat have renewed their sponsorship of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League until 2027.
German fans protest plans to sell off ‘ownership’ stakes to private equity
February 12 – Fans groups in Germany stepped up their protests at the weekend against the league’s plans to sell a stake of revenue to an outside investor.
UEFA and Adidas get Champions League final ball rolling
February 12 – UEFA and Adidas have unveiled the design for the 2023/24 Champions League final match ball.
With just one point in 2024, Molenbeek fire Brazilian boss Claudio Caçapa
February 12 – Following a string of disappointing results, RWD Molenbeek have dismissed their Brazilian manager Claudio Caçapa with Igor de Camargo stepping in on an interim basis.
Afif’s penalty hattrick drives Qatar to 3-1 win over battling Jordan and retention of Asian Cup title
By Paul Nicholson in Lusail Stadium
February 10 – Qatar retained their Asian Cup title with an Akram Afif hattrick of penalties in front of 86,465 mainly Qatari fans in the Lusail Stadium.
Foley builds Las Vegas soccer community links with Bournemouth hook-up
February 10 – AFC Bournemouth owner Bill Foley, who is building a portfolio of club ownerships worldwide, has stayed closer to home and focussed on community with his latest club involvement.
UEFA says there is no appetite to ban Israel from competition
February 9 – UEFA has no intention of throwing Israel out of international competition despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza that has killed an estimated 25,000 people – almost half of them reportedly children – and left thousands more homeless.
UEFA doubles women’s exco slots, Ceferin suggests media should look at their own gender bias
By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 – Aleksander Ceferin’s surprise announcement not to stand for re-election for the UEFA presidency in 2027 overshadowed other key business on the agenda of UEFA’s Congress in Paris.
Denmark and Sweden drop neighbours to combine for 2029 Women’s Euro bid
February 2 – Nordic neighbours Denmark and Sweden have declared their intention to bid for the 2029 Women’s Euro, leaving their regional partner Norway out in the cold.
IFAB set to trial ‘blue’ cards in England
February 9 – Football may witness a transformative change as the International Football Association Board (IFAB) contemplates the introduction of blue cards, which could be trialled in England as soon as next season’s FA Cup.