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.
Gold Cup 2025
Guate bang their drum on a night of passion in Los Angeles
Jamaica 0 Guatemala 1
June 16 – It has been 12 years since Guatemala have beaten Jamaica. Six days ago they lost 3-0 to the Jamaicans in World Cup 2026 qualifying. On the opening night of their Gold Cup campaign they turned the form book on its head.
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.
Low wages push Romania players to betting against own teams
March 23 – There is a reason why it is forbidden for athletes (in any sport) to wager on events in which they themselves participate – doing so endangers the integrity of the event. But the threat is very real as a current Romanian football case shows.
Women’s Super League agrees landmark BBC-Sky TV deal
March 23 – English women’s football has struck a ground-breaking deal reported to be worth around £24 million with Sky Sports and the BBC that will include up to 18 Women’s Super League matches per season being shown on the latter, the first time the league will be screened live to free-to-air channels.
Covid test tampering: Calls for Simba SC exclusion from CAF Champions League
By Paul Nicholson
March 23 – Allegations of covid test tampering have hit the CAF Champions League group stages, with clubs whose players have tested negative before leaving their country, being told they have tested positive following a second test in the host country.
Kokeza quits Serbian FA presidency but denies he is linked to organised crime
March 23 – Just days before the start of the country’s World Cup qualifying programme, Serbian football has been plunged into scandal and chaos with the resignation of federation president Slavisa Kokeza after he was linked to an organised crime group accused of murder, kidnapping and drug trafficking.