Jacob’s Creek breaks new sponsorship ground as first wine sponsor of WWC 2023
April 5 – Australian wine brand Jacob’s Creek has become an Official Supporter of the Women’s World Cup 2023 that kicks of July 20.
Serbian government bails out Partisan Belgrade with €2.5m grant
April 6 – The Serbian government has given the country’s two biggest clubs – Partizan Belgrade and Red Star Belgrade – financial aid of €2.5 million each. The financial assistance was granted following a request from the Serbian Football Federation (FSS).
European clubs lead global ranking of most valuable U-23 players outside Big 5 Euro leagues
April 6 – Benfica centre-forward Gonçalo Ramos (€70 million) and centre back António Silva (€66 million) top a ranking of the highest value players under the age of 23 and playing for clubs outside the Big 5 European leagues.
CPL dials in telecoms giant Telus for 2023 kick off and a five-year deal
April 6 – The Canadian Premier League (CPL) has unveiled Telus as the league’s Official Telecommunications, Digital Health and Home Security Partner in a five-year deal.
Re-elected Ceferin slams ‘reckless’ club owning ‘cartels’ and vows to fight for football’s meritocracy
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin was elected unopposed by acclamation for another four-year term today but not before launching a scathing attack on irresponsible club owners, accusing them of running their businesses in a “high-risk even reckless manner that defies all logic and principles.”
Klaveness fails in bid for UEFA exco seat as Europeans go to the polls
By Samindra Kunti in Lisbon
April 5 – Lise Klaveness has left the Portuguese capital empty-handed. After the Nordic bid for Euro 2025 fell short, the Norwegian FA president failed to win a seat on the UEFA executive committee, falling well short with just 18 votes.
War games: UEFA strips hosting of U-19 Women’s Euros from Belarus
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – For the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia’s neighbour and ally, Belarus, has been stripped of staging a major multi-nation football competition after UEFA announced it had removed the country as hosts of the 2025 women’s under-19 event.
FIFAgate: FIFA bans former Peruvian boss Burga for second time for bribery
April 4 – FIFA’s Ethics Committee has handed for Peruvian FA president Manuel Burga (pictured) a life ban from all football-related activity for a second time.
Liverpool and Chelsea condemn Hillsborough chants at Stamford Bridge
April 5 – Liverpool have hit out once again at the “vile chants” about the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium disaster, the latest culprits being Chelsea fans during Tuesday’s 0-0 Premier League draw.
Eight game ban for Fulham’s Mitrovic for pushing ref
April 5 – Fulham’s Serbian international striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been handed an eight-game ban by the English Football Association for grabbing the referee in the FA Cup quarterfinals against Manchester United last month.
NWSL awards 14th franchise to Sixth Street backed Bay Area team
April 5 – The top tier National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US has awarded an expansion franchise to an investment group who will set up an as yet unnamed team in the Bay Area in Northern California.
Belgian tax collectors chase non-profit Genk for €39m
April 5 – Belgian tax authorities are chasing €39 million from league leaders Racing Genk, arguing that the club’s legal status as a non-profit does not exempt it from paying corporation tax.
Levski Sofia fans donate to help with €5.5m tax bill, as club launches share offer
April 5 – Supporters of Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia have raised over BGN 243,000 (€121,000) to help the club in pay off its debts to the National Revenue Agency (NRA).
Reading plunged into relegation battle after points deducted for breach of EFL’s financial rules
April 5 – EFL Championship side Reading have been handed an immediate six-point deduction for breaking agreed budget restrictions after a previous breach of the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules.
Swiss beat off Nordic, French and Polish bids to win Women’s Euro 2025 hosting
By Samindra Kunti in Lisbon
April 4 – In a bidding race that went down to the wire, Switzerland won the right to host Euro 2025 after seeing off the combined bid from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland as well as hosting hopefuls France and Poland.