By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – FIFA is refusing to kick Russia out of the World Cup despite finally imposing a string of sanctions in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
February 28 – The AFC has formally approved the transition from its current Spring-Autumn season to Autumn-Spring for its club competitions. The change will begin for the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup from the 2023-24 season, once the current 2022 competitions have been concluded.
February 28 – England has become the latest country to refuse to play international fixtures against Russia.
By James Dostoyevsky
While FIFA offered up some lukewarm criticism of its best friend at the Kremlin – without naming the blatantly obvious, namely the criminal attack of Ukraine – its own Gianni, The Leader – proud recipient of the Putensian Russian Order of Friendship in May 2019 – seems to have some issues with reality. And with understanding criminal conduct.
February 28 – Brazil coach Tite will step down after the 2022 World Cup, bringing to an end a 7.5-year reign irrespective of the five-time world champions’ result in Qatar.
February 28 – Online car retailer Cazoo has ramped up its football sponsorship in Spain with a deal to become main partner and shirt sponsor of Valencia the start of next season.
February 28 – Turkish Super Lig leaders Trabzonspor has agreed with NFT consultancy Capital Block to advise on an initial two NFT ‘drops’. Capital Block also works with Galatasaray.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – As widely anticipated, UEFA have stripped St Petersburg of hosting this season’s Champions League final and switched their annual showpiece fixture to the Stade de France in Paris as a result of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
February 25 – Choosing his words carefully, FIFA president Gianni Infantino failed to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, instead saying his organisation was “very worried” about the escalating crisis.
February 25 – German club Schalke 04 have removed Gazprom logo from the main shirt sponsorship position after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
February 25 – Rogerio Caboclo’s time at the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) has come to a definite end following a new 20-month suspension which will prevent him from returning to his role before the end of his mandate in April 2023.
February 24 – The national associations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have issued a joint statement refusing to play any World Cup playoffs in Russia in response to the military assault on Ukraine.
February 25 – FIFA have suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya from all international competition as a result of government interference in the running of their affairs.
February 25 – Honduras will host the 2022 Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship (June 18 – July 30), in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
February 25 – The FA has snagged an £800,000 grant from Arts Council England to run an arts and cultural programme alongside Women’s EURO 2022 in England. The money comes from the Arts Council National Lottery funding.