FIFA takes first blockchain steps with Algorand
May 3 – FIFA is entering the world of blockchain technology via a sponsorship and technical partnership with US business Algorand.
Out of contract. Super agent Mino Raiola dies, aged 54
May 3 – One of the game’s most colourful and controversial figures, football agent Mino Raiola died at the age of 54, his family confirmed on Saturday.
Senegal fined after World Cup 2022 qualifying win over Egypt
May 3 – FIFA has ordered Senegal to play one competitive match behind closed doors and has fined Senegal’s FA CHF175,000 for fan disorder at a World Cup playoff game, including shining laser pointers at Liverpool’s Egyptian star striker Mohamed Salah.
Ratcliffe enters race for Chelsea with £4.25bn ‘British bid’
May 2 – The UK’s richest man has made a late entry to the bidding for Chelsea football club, making an offer of £4.25 billion on Friday, believed to be largest commitment to buying the club than either of the two remaining bidders.
Serie A broadcasts debuts first live match in the metaverse in MENA
May 2 – Serie A broke new digital ground this weekend, with AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Fiorentina being the first football match ever broadcast on the metaverse.
European Leagues says UEFA’s new UCL format will damage domestic competitions
By Andrew Warshaw
April 29 – Europe’s major leagues have rekindled the fierce debate over the future format of the Champions League by urging UEFA to change tack in order to protect domestic football.
Abramovich calls on Chelsea bidders to put extra $500m into Ukraine war victim charity
April 29 – Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has asked the three groups bidding to buy club to stump up an extra £500 million which he wants to go to charity for victims of the war in Ukraine.
Klopp extends Liverpool deal until 2026
April 29 – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2026.
Barca greenlighted for €1.5bn Nou Camp renovation
April 29 – FC Barcelona have been given the green light by local authorities to begin work on redeveloping the Nou Camp, with the renovation expected to finish in the 2025-26 season.
Fiji to host OFC Women’s Nations Cup, winners earn 2023 World Cup play-off
April 29 – Fiji will host the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 in July with the winner earning a spot for the inter-continental playoffs on the road to the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Women’s World Cup and Euros to be added to UK’s protected events list
April 29 – The UK government has added the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA European Women’s Championship to its ‘listed’ events, ensuring the tournaments will remain available for free-to-air television broadcasters.
Turkish Süper Lig leaders Trabzonspor plan NFT drop to celebrate title
April 29 – Trabzonspor, who need just two points from four games to be crowned Turkey’s Süper Lig champions, will celebrate with the launch of their first set of NFTs.
CSCF and Maltese Police deliver 5th IntegriSport Next match-fixing seminar
April 29 – The CSCF Sport Integrity Group and the Malta Police Force have completed the IntegriSport Next national Awareness Raising Session on match-fixing.
OneFootball raises £300m to drive growth and push business into blockchain and NFTs
April 28 – Football media platform OneFootball has raised $300 million to accelerate its growth and in particular an expansion into Web3, a new iteration of the internet based on blockchain technology.
UEFA warms to centralised ‘final four’ for Champions League
April 28 – European governing body UEFA is contemplating a ‘final four’ for the Champions League to replace the current, classic two-legged semi-finals and flagship final model.