Textor fires both barrels at PSG’s ‘illegal’ state finance model, saying rules are not being applied evenly
February 24 – Lyon co-owner John Textor has publicly criticised PSG’s ownership structure, labeling it as ‘illegal’.
Rubiales loses CAS appeal against FIFA ban. Now he is set to challenge court over guilty verdict
February 24 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed an appeal by disgraced former Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales against his three-year FIFA ban for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the medal ceremony after the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
Brazil extends match-fixing probe as English FA decision on Paqueta case nears
February 24 – The Brazilian Senate has extended an investigation into match fixing and sports betting, awaiting the outcome of the FA’s investigation into Lucas Paqueta.
China’s JD.com debuts as final secondary sponsor for UEFA Champions League
February 24 – UEFA has locked in its final secondary sponsor for the Champions League, with Chinese e-commerce powerhouse JD.com joining EA Sports, Oppo, and Topps in the ‘Global Enhanced Product / Service Partner’ tier.
Match week 26: Saints and Fulham struggle to feel the love, but Toon army are rampant
February 24 – Matchweek 26 proved to be a slower one for Premier League attendances, with stadiums averaging just 97.785% capacity – a drop from the season’s usual 98% standard. While strong performances from most clubs kept figures respectable, the usual underperformers once again weighed down the numbers.
Rangers’ patience runs out and part company with Philippe Clement
February 24 – Scottish giants Rangers have sacked under-fire coach Philippe Clement in the aftermath of back-to-back home defeats, the latest being Saturday’s 2-0 setback against St Mirren.
Central America Leagues plan second meeting in Nicaragua under the wing of WLA
February 24 – The World Leagues Association (WLA) is building its network as it battles to make the voices of the national leagues heard. To that end the Liga Primera Nicaragua will host the second Central American Leagues meeting May 19-20, in Managua, Nicaragua.
MLS docuseries to tell the season’s story on Apple TV+
February 23 – Following in the footsteps of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ and F1’s ‘Drive to Survive’, Apple TV+ in conjunction with the league and production company Box to Box has released ‘Onside: Major League Soccer’.
Croatians to tear down Maksimor City Stadium for €175m rebuild
February 23 – The Croatian government and the city of Zagreb, in partnership with Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian FA, have drafted a proposal to knock down and build a brand new Maksimir City Stadium on the same site.
AFC launches anti-matchfixing capacity building educational programme with Sportradar
February 23 – As part of its war on match-fixing, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched a knowledge sharing initiative designed to equip Integrity Officers with the knowledge and tools to battle the fixing threat at national and international levels.
Inter Miami announce renewal of 10 club partners
February 24 – Inter Miami CF is rapidly becoming the ‘IT’ club in Major League Soccer (MLS) attracting a host of sponsors, and that looks set to continue as the club has just announced the renewal of 10 key partners.
Hammers nail a Winter Weekender in Park City, Utah
February 24 – Premier League West Ham United, are increasingly looking to USA shores to increase their fanbase. The latest venture sees the Hammers hold their first-ever, fan engagement event in Utah in collaboration with Essex Montage, the club’s Official U. S. Residential Mortgage Lender.
Liverpool take giant step towards the Premier League title as Gunners fizzle out
February 23 – Liverpool and their talisman Mohamed Salah took a major step toward Premier League glory with a 2-0 victory at Manchester City after second-placed Arsenal had slumped to defeat against West Ham United.
Champions League last 16: Liverpool face PSG, Real and Atleti in Madrid derby
February 21 – In the standout ties of the Champions League’s round of 16, Liverpool have been drawn against perennial contenders Paris Saint-Germain, while reigning champions Real Madrid face crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid in a local derby.
Arne Slot’s team who top the Premier League table, were handed a tough draw as they face the French champions, who waltzed past Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the playoff round. In 2018, the pair met in the group stages with both sides winning at home.
Rubiales found guilty of sexual assault but escapes jail term
February 21 – After a trial that gripped the nation as well as the outside world and made front as well as back page headlines, Spain’s former FA boss Luis Rubiales avoided a prison sentence Thursday as he was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing World Cup star Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent and ordered by the country’s High Court to pay a fine of €10,800.