Shirt found in South Sudan becomes AC Milan’s first NFT in a charity initiative
April 8 – Italian giants AC Milan have launched their first official NFT, a 3D NFT of a Rossoneri jersey found in South Sudan.
Amnesty report on Qatar security guards keeps human rights pressure on FIFA and Qatar
By Samindra Kunti
April 8 – A new report from Amnesty International has revealed that security guards involved in projects linked to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are being subject to conditions that “amount to forced labour” with the human rights group urging FIFA to act.
‘Infiltrator creator’ Bukayo Sako tops U21 player ranking, bad boy Greenwood is second
April 8 – Arsenal and England’s emerging star Bukayo Sako tops Manchester United’s troubled Mason Greenwood in a ranking of the 100 best performing U21 outfield players from 32 European leagues.
Parisian club Red Star FC to be added to 777 Partners portfolio
April 7 – Parisian club Red Star FC have entered exclusive takeover talks with American investment fund 777 Partners to become part of their expanding club portfolio.
Bundesliga greenlights Supponor’s virtual ad technology for league-wide use
April 8 – Virtual advertising specialist Supponor has been given German league-wide approval to supply software-based virtual advertising, via its Supponor AIR solution, from the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL).
UEFA forges ahead with financial reforms that will cap squad wages and transfer spending
By Paul Nicholson
April 7 – UEFA have rubber-stamped wide ranging changes to their financial sustainability regulations for clubs, the first major reforms to rules that were introduced in 2010 but were starting to creak under an evolving football business and the financial effects of the pandemic.
Ceferin welcomes end to biennial World Cup ‘nonsense’ but keeps counsel on Russia
By Andrew Warshaw
April 7 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin today welcomed the apparent abandonment of the idea to stage the World Cup every two years by describing the whole concept as non-sensical.
FIFA fund releases further $3m to support unpaid players
April 7 – FIFA has allocated a further $3 million from its fund to support professional players who have not been paid by their clubs and have no chance of receiving the salaries agreed with those clubs.
Aussies focus on 2023 legacy build with Disney+ commission for 6-part Matildas doc
April 7 – The Walt Disney Company is to produce a six-part documentary series covering the Australian women’s team, the Matildas, as they build up for their home Women’s World Cup in 2023 which is being co-hosted with New Zealand.
US investor Chris Kirchner closes in on Derby buy, but where’s his money coming from?
April 7 – American businessman Chris Kirchner has been named as the preferred bidder for English second-tier side Derby County, the club’s administrators have confirmed.
Fake news: FIFA scotches rumours of Infantino 100-minute plan
April 7 – FIFA have been quick to rubbish reports coming out of Italy which suggested World Cup games in Qatar could last 100 instead of 90 minutes.
Konami takes AC Milan training kit deal for eFootball game brand
April 7 – AC Milan has unveiled video game maker Konami Digital Entertainment as the club’s first Official Training Wear Partner.
Out the World Cup and with no significant TV deal; Turkish FA president Ozdemir quits his post
April 7 – With Turkey having failed to qualify for the World Cup and the domestic broadcast deal for the SuperLig nowhere near club expectations, Turkish Football Federation (TFF) president, Nihat Ozdemir. has resigned.
Gelson Fernandes handed African member nation development role at FIFA
April 7 – Former Manchester City and Switzerland midfielder Gelson Fernandes has been appointed FIFA’s new director of member associations for Africa.
Hisense tunes into USL’s fast-growing leagues for multi-year sponsorship
April 7 – FIFA World Cup sponsor Hisense has expanded its sponsorship footprint in the US in a multi-year partnership with the United Soccer League (USL). The deal covers all of the USL’s professional and development leagues.