Romania mourns death of legendary Mircea Lucescu, aged 80
April 8 – Romanian great Mircea Lucescu has passed away at the age of 80 after health complications.
Barton pleads not guilty to assault, remains in custody
April 8 – Ex-footballer Joey Barton has denied a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent following an alleged incident at a golf club in north-west England, with the case now set to go to trial later this year.
All bets off. Premier League clubs feel chill of a shirt without a bookie
April 8 – Nine Premier League clubs have yet to secure front-of-shirt sponsors for next season. Twelve have no signed contract at all. With the voluntary ban on gambling shirt sponsorship taking effect from the start of next campaign, several clubs may begin the season without a deal.
Turkmenistan administrators upskill with AFC’s hybrid ACFAM course
April 8 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched the latest edition of its Certificate in Football Administration and Management (ACFAM), cutting the ribbon on the project this week in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Bulgarian FA takes first formal steps into video gaming and esports
April 8 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) and Esports Bulgaria have signed a strategic partnership agreement that marks the federation’s first steps into the video gaming and esports world.
Nashville and Club América all square ahead of winner-takes-all showdown at the Azteca
April 7 — In a cagey Champions Cup quarter final at Geodis Park in Nashville, Club América showed why they are a continental force to be reckoned with, securing a 0-0 draw to take back home to Mexico next Tuesday for the second leg.
LAFC gather pace after slow start to dismantle Cruz Azul 3-0
April 8 – Despite starting the 1st leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup as favorites, LAFC found themselves immediately on the back foot in their BMO Stadium as Cruz Azul, before turning early pressure around to take a 3-0 lead into the second leg next week.
With AFCON row still bubbling under, Motsepe flies into the Lions’ den in Dakar
April 7 – CAF president Patrice Motsepe is due in Senegal tomorrow for a visit that feels anything but routine.
Real and Bayern, 21 European crowns between them, meet again in the Champions League’s ultimate match-up
April 7 – As the Champions League quarter-finals get underway this evening, the heavyweight clash between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich seems destined to be the competition’s ultimate match-up without ever being a final.
CBF pushes for unity to develop Brasileirão
April 7 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has thrown its weight behind the establishment of a single, unified football league in the country to further the development of the country’s domestic game.
Tigres welcome Sounders for quarter final first leg to the cauldron of El Volcan
April 8 – In 2022 Seattle Sounders became the only MLS team in the modern era to win Concacaf’s Champions Cup, beating Pumas 5-2 on aggregate. That win capped a number of attempts that began in 2013 when they became the first MLS team to eliminate a Mexican opponent, Tigres UANL, in the competition.
PSV fans come out in their thousands to celebrate third successive Dutch title and paint Eindhoven red
April 7 – There was little chance of much work being done in a sun-soaked Eindhoven today as the city came out in force in a riot of red and white to celebrate PSV’s third successive Eredivisie title.
Question marks raised over FIFA’s new official prediction market partner
April 7 – FIFA has named Adi Predictstreet as the official prediction market partner for the 2026 World Cup, but questions have arisen over the controversial deal with the mysterious new company.
LA Galaxy have a mountain to climb against high flying Toluca
There’s a reason continental nights at the Nemesio Díez carry weight. The altitude sucks the life out of visitors, and the atmosphere isn’t for the faint-hearted. Deportivo Toluca FC has made a habit of using both.
USSF chief sets out plan for national sides to be America’s darlings and soccer to be No.1 for kids
April 7 – United States Soccer Federation Chief Executive JT Batson has set the target for the organisation’s flagship assets – positioning both the men’s and women’s national teams as “favourite teams” across the entire US sports landscape.