PlayStation plugs in for a bigger game with UEFA women’s partnership
March 21 – PlayStation has become the latest brand to back the European women’s game in a three-season deal, the continental governing body UEFA has announced.
Crystal Palace call Hodgson back for battle against relegation
March 21 – Roy Hodgson is back in the manager’s hot seat. The veteran coach has been taken on the role at Crystal Palace until the end of the season, succeeding Patrick Vieira who was sacked last week.
Threats force Italy vs England fan friendly off in Naples
March 21 – A friendly match between England and Italy supporters in Naples has been cancelled following a “sinister” message allegedly sent by local fanatics.
LaLiga takes its experience and knowledge East with seminar series
March 21 – Spain’s LaLiga is pushing its brand and expertise into Eastern Europe with a seminar to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, organised by Palms Bet, the official partner of LaLiga in Bulgaria.
German president Neuendorf calls on FIFA to end secrecy and open up to transparency
By Samindra Kunti
March 20 – One of the few national associations not to support Gianni Infantino in his re-election to the FIFA president, the German DFB and their president Bernd Neuendorf, have demanded more transparency from the global body and a different attitude toward members.
Study measures financial impact of bookies’ shirt sponsorships ahead of UK gambling review
March 20 – With the imminent release of the gambling review whitepaper – the culmination of the government’s long-awaited review into the Gambling Act 2005 – a new study reports on the gambling industry’s trajectory as front-of-shirt sponsors of Premier League clubs.
Motsepe hints that he is done leading in CAF and won’t seek a second term
March 20 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has given another clear hint that he will not stand for re-election for a second term.
Colour blindness: Viera sacking leaves Premier League without a single black manager
March 20 – The sacking of Patrick Vieira as manager of Crystal Palace means there is not a single black manager in charge of any men’s or women’s top-flight teams in English football.
AFC turns attention to U20 women with second round group draw
March 20 – With the men’s AFC U20 Asian Cup compleed at the the weekend the confederation is now turning its attention to the U20 women who are in the final stages of qualifying for finals in 2024 that will be played, liked the men’s, in Uzbekistan.
Old meets new in shiny renovated stadium. Botev Plovdiv embrace next frontier
March 20 – Bulgaria’s oldest football club Botev Plovdiv has signed a partnership agreement with one of the newest digital platforms targeting football, Fanzee.
Misfiring Flamengo overcome Vasco de Gama to reach Carioca final
March 20 – Flamengo have reached the final of the Carioca championship, defeating cross-town rivals Vasco da Gama to ease some of the pressure on Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira.
Uzbekistan beat Iraq to win the AFC U20 Asian Cup. Indonesian World Cup beckons
March 20 – Host nation Uzbekistan have won their first AFC U20 Asian Cup, beating five times champions Iraq 1-0 in the final in Tashkent.
FA Cup heats up as Fulham lose the plot and Manchester teams edge towards Wembley clash
March 20 – The prospects of a mouth-watering first ever all-Manchester FA Cup final have moved step closer after both clubs reached the semi-finals at the weekend in vastly different fashion.
Ghana lays Christian Atsu to rest with service at State House
March 20 – Ghana’s president was among hundreds of mourners who paid their last respects at the funeral on Friday of former international Christian Atsu, who died last month in the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey.
48-team World Cup will increase competitiveness, not dilute it, argues Infantino
March 20 – Gianni Infantino has defended the biggest expansion in World Cup history, saying 48 teams in 2026 will not dilute the quality of the tournament.