Alves denies assault but now admits he did have sex in Barcelona nightclub
April 18 – Dani Alves (pictured) has maintained his innocence over allegations of sexual assault, claiming he had consensual sex with the woman that accused him.
Beer brand Castel returns to sponsorship of Malawian football
April 18 – Beer brand Castel has returned to sponsor Malawian football with an €887,000 (1 billion Kawcha) commitment to the local challenge cup.
Fan demand forces UEFA to switch Youth League finals to Stade de Genève
April 18 – UEFA has shifted the finals of its UEFA Youth League from the 7,200-capacity Colovray Sports Centre, Nyon, to the 30,000-capacity Stade de Genève.
LAFC to expand with acquisition of stake in Austria’s FC Wacker Innsbruck
April 18 – LAFC, the 2022 MLS Cup Champions, have announced they are investing in Austrian club FC Wacker Innsbruck.
Brazil’s Serie A renews 5-year Assai naming rights for a further season
April 18 – Brazilian wholesaler Assaí Atacadista has extended its title sponsorship of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A for a further season.
Gold Cup draw sees Mexico head group of death as US paired with Jamaica in group
By Paul Nicholson in Los Angeles
April 15 – Defending champions USA have been handed what looks like a comfortable group draw for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, with the toughest challenge in the first stage likely to come from Jamaica and their contingent of English Premier League players.
Concacaf launches Bigger Game social responsibility programme at the SoFi Stadium
April 15 – Using the backdrop of the 2023 Gold Cup Draw at the spectacular SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Concacaf officially launched its ‘Bigger Game’ social impact strategy.
Al Ahly fan ban after Zamalek hatred bubbles over in Pharco with Shikabala insults
April 17 – Three thousand Al Ahly fans have been suspended for two games for shouting “insults” aimed at Zamalek’s Egypt international Shikabala during the club’s last game against Pharco.
More racism in Spain as Real Madrid’s Rudiger is abused in Cadiz
April 17 – Not for the first time in his career, Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was the subject of racist abuse at the weekend after his team’s game at Cadiz.
India sets minimum wage structure for top tier women’s league
April 17 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is to set a minimum wage for players in the country’s women’s top flight, the Indian Women’s League (IWL).
One for the road: Brugges boss Mannaert told to stop drinking or lose his job
April 17 – Club Brugge’s CEO Vincent Mannaert (pictured) has admitted that his alcohol addiction could force his exit from the Belgian club.
Italian striker Immobile hospitalised after car crash
April 17 – Italy international striker Ciro Immobile is being treated for back and rib injuries in hospital after his car was involved in an accident.
Argentine Sampaoli makes dash from Spain to take over at Brazil’s Flamengo
April 17 – Jorge Sampaoli has succeeded Vitor Pereira as the new manager of Flamengo. He will make his debut on Thursday against Chile’s Nublense in the Copa Libertadores.
Fan group collects funds to support unpaid players at North Macedonia’s storied Vardar Skopje
April 17 – The financial issues facing North Macedonia’s Vardar Skopje are deepening. The team from the capital who have won more championships than any other, is fighting for a return to the Macedonian first league, and for survival.
Minerva owner Bajaj reports match-fixing attempt saying it is ‘rampant’ in India’s lower leagues
April 14 – A bookmaker has allegedly approached two players at Delhi FC in the Indian I-League Second Division in an attempt to fix matches, Minerva club owner Ranjit Bajaj has claimed.