FIFA probe Valencia owner Lim over transfer deals
February 4 – FIFA has launched an investigation into Valencia owner Peter Lim and company Meriton Holdings, according to reports in Spain.
Gold Cup 2025
USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica
USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
Social media firms warned of £ billions in fines unless they tackle racist abuse
February 4 – The British government has threatened social media companies with fines which could amount to “billions of pounds” if they fail to tackle abuse of footballers on their platforms.
Molten rolls over Europa League deal for new 3-year term and adds Conference
February 4 – UEFA has renewed Japanese manufacturer Molten Corporation as the official match ball supplier for its Europa League. Molten will also pick up rights to the new Europa Conference League that kicks off in July.
EA Sports renews Champions and Europa League exclusivities for FIFA series
February 4 – Electronic Arts (EA) has renewed is exclusive license with UEFA for its Champions League and Europa League video games, keeping both competitions on the FIFA platform.
Mussolini’s great-grandson signs for Lazio
February 4 – The great-grandson of Italy’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini has signed for Lazio – a section of whose supporters are notorious for salutes and racist chants at matches.
IOC rejects complaint that Infantino broke the Olympic Charter
February 3 – Gianni Infantino, already being investigated by the Swiss authorities who have opened criminal proceedings against him, has at least won one battle, with a complaint against him dismissed by the International Olympic Committee after being brought by Swiss sports management company Sport 7.
Baxter pays the penalty at ISL’s Odisha after ‘rape’ comment
February 3 – Indian Super League club Odisha FC dismissed their coach Stuart Baxter on Wednesday after the former South Africa used a rape analogy in his post-match comments.
UK politicians line up against oligarchs to exclude Chelsea and Everton from trade missions
February 3 – The British government is coming under even more pressure to ban two English top-flight clubs from official projects promoting Britain overseas because of their links to Russian billionaire oligarchs.
Marseille suspend Villas Boas after claim he never wanted Celtic’s Ntcham
February 3 – It isn’t every day that the manager of a top-flight club openly and publicly criticises the way it operates and offers his resignation.
Bayern are Europe’s top finishers; Atlético, Leicester, Inter and Monaco top Big 5
February 3 – Bayern Munich are the most clinical goal finishers in Europe’s Big 5 leagues, scoring on average every 5.3 shots.
UEFA brings in single-leg knockout rule as Liverpool’s trip to Leipzig in doubt
February 3 – European knock-out ties hit by travel restrictions caused by the impact of Covid-19 could be played as one-off matches at neutral venues under new rules issued by UEFA.
AFC to form Covid expert group as region awaits vaccination roll-out
February 3 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is to set up a Covid-19 Advisory Expert Group to advise on the development of the pandemic and make recommendations for the management and prevention of the infection.
Vermantia ups the pace with Virtual Football League in i-gaming space
February 3 – Greece-based Vermantia, which offers content to lotteries, gaming and betting operators, has added a new Virtual Football League igaming product to its portfolio.
World Cup legacy: Qatar 2022 organisers sign MoU with NHRC
February 3 – Qatar World Cup organisers have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the country’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) to enhance the human rights legacy of the 2022 global finals.
Tebas calls out Infantino, agent WO1, as party to European Super League plot
By Andrew Warshaw
February 2 – La Liga chief Javier Tebas has accused Gianni Infantino of privately supporting the launch of a breakaway European Super League despite FIFA steadfastly opposing the project.