Turks stun Dutch as 2022 World Cup qualifying begins in Europe
March 25 – Turkey stunned the Netherlands with a Burak Yilmaz hattrick to win 4-2 in the opening round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers and leave the Dutch campaign in the doldrums.
Cameroon say there was no email error, Choupo-Moting ignored call-up
March 25 – Cameroon have vehemently denied they were responsible for an email blunder which forced their captain, Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, to miss out on selection for the national team against Cape Verde and Rwanda in Group F of African Nations Cup qualifiers.
US women re-make case for equal pay on White House visit
March 25 – On what was dubbed ‘Equal Pay Day’, members of the US national women’s team met president Joe Biden Wednesday and expressed their ongoing concern over their wage discrimination battle with the US Soccer Federation that has plagued both parties.
Rashford, Foden and Alexander-Arnold top Mbappe in transfer value rankings
March 24 – Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden represent the most valuable assets of Manchester United and Manchester City, making up 15% and 10% of their clubs squads’ total transfer value, according to data from the CIES Football Observatory.
OL to stay on the Ho Chi Minh trail for another 3 years
March 25 – Olympique Lyon have extended their partnership to share best training practices and know-how with the Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation until 2023.
Serie A secures $200m TV deal in US with CBS
March 25 – Serie A is switching broadcasters in US from next season with CBS Sports taking the rights from ESPN in a three-year deal.
FIFA hands out new bans to Blatter and Valcke, but has it broken its own time barring rules?
By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson
March 24 – FIFA’s efforts to distance the regime of Gianni Infantino from the previous administration of Sepp Blatter and Jerome Valcke have taken another significant step with both former powerbrokers suffering fresh bans at the hands of the organisation’s ethics apparatus.
Conmebol reports 2020 loss of $14.5m, but banking on Copa America for 2021 turnround
March 24 – South American governing body Conmebol incurred a loss of $14.5 million in 2020 due the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation announced on Tuesday at its annual congress.
Saudis launch women’s development plan allied to Asian Cup 2027 bid
March 24 – Saudi Arabia, which launched its first women’s league last year, has unveiled plans of a new development programme for the women’s game within the country, allied to its bid to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027.
African contenders vie for final AFCON 2022 slots
March 24 – African teams enter the final stretch of qualifying today (Wednesday) for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with 19 spots still up for grabs. Some matches will be played with fans in the stands.
Another stab: Albanian FA asks government if fans attend England game if vaccinated
March 24 – Having had one request turned down, Albania’s FA is having a second crack at trying to persuade the authorities to allow a limited number of fans to attend their World Cup qualifier against England on Sunday – this time suggesting they are first vaccinated against coronavirus.
Norwegian team plan protest of Qatar’s human rights record ahead of Gibralter qualifier
March 24 – Norway’s threat of a World Cup boycott in protest at Qatar’s human rights record is set to take centre stage in Gibraltar tonight when the visiting Norwegian team uses the 2022 qualifier to express its support for migrant workers helping the host nation prepare for the tournament.
Real Madrid cleared to keep ‘home’ Liverpool CL tie in Spain
March 24 – Real Madrid have received a boost with the news they will not be forced to play the ‘home’ leg of their upcoming Champions League quarter-final tie against Liverpool on neutral ground.
FIFA promotes Jean-Marie to boss MA relations
March 24 – Kenny Jean-Marie is FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, replacing Veron Mosengo-Omba who has just joined the Confederation of African Football as its general secretary.
West Brom renew Ideal Heating for another 3-year rollercoaster ride
March 24 – Premier League West Bromwich Albion have renewed their shirt sponsorship with Ideal heating for a further three years.