Congo suspended from world football after elected officials lose control of FA
February 7 – FIFA has suspended the Congolese FA “with immediate effect” because of third-party interference.
Liverpool swamp Spurs to set up EFL Cup final against Newcastle
February 7 – A commanding performance from Liverpool saw them cruise to a 4-0 victory over Spurs at Anfield on Thursday, securing their spot in the EFL Cup final at Wembley where they will face Newcastle United March 16 as they look to retain the cup they won last season.
UEFA paves route to Albania-Serbia 2027 U21 Euros with 51-nation group draw
February 7 – The journey to the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship has officially begun, with the qualifying group stage draw setting the path for 51 nations aiming to join co-hosts Albania and Serbia at the finals.
Santos give Neymar given a rapturous welcome home
February 7 – After nearly 12 years playing for two of the glitziest teams in Europe followed by a brief stop in Saudi Arabia, Neymar, once the world’s most expensive player, made his long-awaited return to his childhood club Santos this week and afterwards was lost for words.
Adidas release Lisbon-themed ball for Women’s Champions League
February 7 – As the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League enters its decisive knockout phase, a new star is set to take centre stage. UEFA and adidas have unveiled the tournament’s latest official match ball, inspired by Lisbon, the host city for this season’s final.
Marcelo calls time on career that saw him star at Real Madrid and Brazil
February 7 – Brazil and Real Madrid legend Marcelo, one of the most decorated players in history, has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 36.
EFL gets rolling with Rainbow ball for second season
February 7 – Football is for everyone, everywhere. That’s the message the English Football League (EFL) and its official match ball partner, Puma, are sending loud and clear with the return of the Rainbow match ball. Introduced as part of Football v Homophobia’s Month of Action, the vibrant design looks to act a symbol of solidarity and a reminder that discrimination has no place in the game.
Wrexham touch down with STōK Cold Brew Coffee at Super Bowl for second year
February 6 – Wrexham’s global conquest shows no signs of slowing down because for the second straight year, the little club from Wales have a spot in the sought-after National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl advert line-up.
UEFA ponders scrapping extra time in Champions League knock-out rounds
February 7 – A mention of the phrase, extra-time, conjures up memories of classic matches as physically and emotionally shattered players drag their tired bodies and minds through another 30 minutes, however UEFA is in the early stages of reviewing whether to scrap extra-time in their European competitions.
Unilever becomes 14th Women’s EURO 2025 global partner
February 7 – Consumer goods giant Unilever has become an official global partner of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, the 14th sponsor to sign up for UEFA’s flagship and fast-growing women’s national team tournament that will be played this summer in Switzerland, July 2-27.
Draw for Women’s Futsal Asia Cup in China plots route to inaugural world finals in Philippines
February 7 – Hosts China have been drawn in the same group as Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei and debutants Australia for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup to be played May 6-17.
Winbet go all-in with Etar for another season
February 7 – Bulgarian second tier club Etar Veliko Tarnovo has renewed its sponsorship with bookmaker Winbet. Etar and Winbet first partnered in 2017, but the sponsorship has been interrupted several times until now.
Pakistan Football Federation elections set for further delay
February 6 – With world governing body FIFA struggling to implement constitutional reform, elections in Pakistani football may be put on hold yet again.
Player welfare and match calendar is focus of UEFA-Conmebol-Fifpro powwow
February 6 – UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin hosted a meeting with Conmebol and Fifpro representatives at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, yesterday (Wednesday) with player welfare being the focus of the discussion.
Brighton and Hove Albion top CIES spending list with €253m net spend
Brighton and Hove Albion have emerged as the biggest spenders in world football over the last two transfer windows, according to a new CIES Football Observatory study.