Liverpool working with police to identify Real Madrid bus attackers
April 15 – Liverpool have condemned the attack on Real Madrid’s bus before their Champions League semifinal on Wednesday as “unacceptable and shameful”.
Dortmund head Big 5 U21 player ranking but French clubs dominate, Wolves make top 10
April 15 – France’s Ligue 1 leads the way amongst Europe’s Big 5 leagues as the continent’s football talent development factory, though Borussia Dortmund head a club ranking of having the most minutes played by players who are still to turn 21.
CBA backs Aussie women in record breaking 4-year deal
April 15 – Australia’s Commonwealth Bank (CBA) has signed a four-year partnership to become the official naming rights partner and bank of the national women’s team, the Matildas, Junior Matildas and Young Matildas from August 2021.
Expanded AFC Champions League kicks off in centralised West Zone venues
By Samindra Kunti
April 14 – Tonight a new iteration of the AFC Champions League kicks off with 20 teams in the Western Zone getting their campaigns under way, in an expanded championship with all eyes on Qatari champions Al Sadd, led by coach Xavi Hernandez, and Indian debutants FC Goa.
Iranians take protest to CAS over Bahrain group qualifier hosting
By Paul Nicholson
April 14 – Iran have made another trip to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), this time to protest the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) decision to award hosting rights for the centralised preliminary rounds of World Cup qualifiers to Bahrain.
Conmebol to fight covid with 50,000 vaccines donated by China
April 14 – In an act of football diplomacy, China and pharmaceutical company Sinovac have donated 50,000 doses of their Covid-19 vaccine to Conmebol, with the South American governing body indicating it will inoculate top-flight players around the continent.
Chile overcome Cameroon to complete Tokyo 2020 women’s Olympic line-up
April 14 – Chile’s women took the final qualifying slot for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic tournament after a 0-0 draw was enough to put them through from the inter-continental play-off against Cameroon.
Italy says Euro 2020 opener in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico will be at least 25% full
April 14 – Any fears UEFA may have had over needing to reschedule the opening game of this summer’s delayed European Championship in Rome have been eased after the Italians gave the all-clear for a limited number of fans to attend.
MLS sign P&G corporate deal in advance of season kick-off
April 14 – With the MLS season kicking off on Friday, the league has announced a five-year deal sponsorship with Procter & Gamble, reportedly worth $80-100 million.
Concacaf hits the road for Vegas and Gold Cup Final party
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – Concacaf will celebrate the easing of lockdown and hopefully a break in the pandemic with an all singing all dancing Gold Cup Final in Las Vegas on August 1.
Integrated Sports takes Conmebol’s Qatar 2022 qualifiers into US on PPV
April 14 – South America’s delayed World Cup 2022 qualifiers, now scheduled to restart in June, will be available for viewers in the US on pay per view channels at $25.95 per game.
Covid financing: Lyon outline player share deal in lieu of monthly pay cheque
April 13 – French Ligue 1 Olympique Lyonnais have outlined plans for their players to take up to 25% of their salaries in OL Groupe shares rather than as cash.
Heartbreak for Korean women as China secure Olympic berth in extra time
April 13 – China shattered South Korea’s dream of a first Women’s Olympic tournament winning the final AFC spot at Tokyo 2020 with a 4-3 aggregate win in a nerve jangling second leg play-off in Suzhou, China.
Kattner loses claim in Swiss labour court for CHF10m FIFA compensation
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – Former FIFA financial director and acting general secretary Markus Kattner (pictured) has lost his appeal against unfair dismissal in the Swiss labour courts.
Tebas takes seat on UEFA’s exco alongside sparring partner Rubiales
April 13 – Javier Tebas, the outspoken and controversial head of Spain’s La Liga, is set to join UEFA’s executive committee – sitting alongside his nemesis, Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales.