By Samindra Kunti in Doha
March 31 – All India Football Federation president (AIFF) Praful Patel haș dismissed the idea that Saudi Arabia and Qatar are the frontrunners in the bidding race for the 2027 Asian Cup. Patel also rebutted strong criticism at home of overstaying as president of India’s governing body.
March 31 – FIFA has approved new loan regulations that will come into force in July in a bid to foster development in the game and prevent “hoarding” of players.
March 31 – Lightening almost struck twice. The US were knocked out of World Cup qualifying for Russia 2018 after losing to a better organised and prepared Trinidad and Tobago. Last night they hung on to their automatic 2022 qualification place on goal difference.
March 31 – While FIFA president Gianni Infantino was banging the drum for world peace, respect, and the power of football to help unify in times of conflict, news from Iran broke of women being pepper sprayed by Iranian authorities as they turned up for Iran’s final World Cup qualifier.
March 31 – The record for the highest attendance ever at a women’s football match was set last night in the Camp Nou in the second leg of the Champions League final between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
March 31 – FIFA has said that 804,186 tickets have been sold during first sales phase for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
March 31 – You know the tournament is getting closer when it is time to launch the official ball. FIFA sponsor Adidas has unveiled the new ball for Qatar 2022, named Al Rihla.
March 31 – After a three-year hiatus Manchester United are taking their fan engagement event back on the road with Miami, Florida, as the first stop on April 16.
By David Owen
March 30 – Everton, the Merseyside club in danger of losing its English top-flight status for the first time since the 1950s, has posted its third consecutive loss in excess of £100 million.
March 30 – Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco and Tunisia all booked their places at the World Cup finals Tuesday on a frantic night of final African play-off action.
March 30 – Iraqi dreams of progressing to the Qatar 2022 play-offs were shattered in the final round of Asian World Cup qualifying as they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Syria.
March 30 – Portugal and Poland booked their places at the World Cup finals on Tuesday night as the dreams of highly fancied Sweden and rank outsiders North Macedonia ended on what should have been the final European playoff games.
March 30 – The Asian Football Confederation has established an Elite Club Competition Task Force to examine ways it can improve its Champions League as the region returns to full play following the covid pandemic.
March 30 – The world players union FIFPRO and the Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI) have penned a joint open letter cautioning that human rights issues surrounding the World Cup in Qatar are far from resolved but acknowledging that considerable progress has been made by the authorities.
March 30 – Pacific Media Group (PMG) have acquired a stake of just under 10% in FC Kaiserslautern, the German club have announced.