UK and Ireland FAs submit formal bid for Euro 2028 hosting
By Paul Nicholson
March 23 – The four UK FAs and the Football Association of Ireland have today formally submitted a joint Expression of Interest to host Euro 2028.
World Football
Big Five league player injury costs rocket to €279m, finds report
March 23 – Injuries cost the Big Five football countries in Europe (England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) a staggering €279.49 million in the first half of this year according to a new study.
Wembley tickets for Finalissima 2022 on sale with prices starting at £25
March 23 – Tickets for the Wembley play-off between the national team champions of Europe and South America – dubbed the Finalissima 2022 – go on sale Thursday with category 3 tickets priced at £25.
UEFA poised to award Euro 28 hosting to combined Britain and Ireland bid
March 22 – The UK and Ireland are set to be named as the joint hosts of Euro 2028, with no rival bid having come forward before tomorrow’s deadline for “expressions of interest”, according to reports.
Overmars in quick return with Antwerp role after Dutch disgrace
March 22 – Belgian club Antwerp have named Marc Overmars as their new technical director, just weeks after the Dutchman exited Ajax Amsterdam under a cloud.
AC Milan, PSG and Real Madrid cut Fonbet deals; Parimatch adjusts at Chelsea
March 21 – Football’s commercial sponsorship backlash over the Russian invasion of Ukraine is continuing. Russian online bookmaker Fonbet has had three major club sponsorships cancelled, while Parimatch tech is redefining its deal with Chelsea.
FIFA earmarks $1m of relief for Ukraine humanitarian crisis
March 21 – FIFA has sent medical supplies to the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) and allocated $1 million to the FIFA Foundation for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
OFC 2022 qualifiers: Covid kills Vanuatu’s campaign, Cook Islands also hit
March 21 – Vanuatu have withdrawn from Oceania’s eight-team World Cup qualifiers because of a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad. The Cooks Islands’ second game was also postponed due to positive coronavirus cases.
Concacaf Champions League set for LigaMX vs MLS final
March 21 – The vice-like grip Mexico’s clubs have held on the Concacaf Champions League is being challenged with this year’s final guaranteed to have a challenger from the MLS.
Real Madrid and Chelsea lined up for Champions League repeat
March 18 – Holders Chelsea will face 13-time winners Real Madrid in the glamour tie of the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Concacaf confirms W Qualifiers schedule for Monterrey finals in July
Sobaclieu.com
March 18 – The dates of the final rounds of qualifying for the Concacaf W Championship to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, in July, have been confirmed for women’s international match window in April.
USL Women’s Super League to break new ground with season to follow international calendar
March 18 – The USL has announced that its professional women’s Super League that will kick off in August 2023 will not be played as a calendar year competition but will align with the international women’s football calendar.
Fan-less Chelsea head for Middlesbrough for FA Cup clash as ‘integrity’ storm rages
March 18 – The FA Cup, the world’s oldest domestic knockout tournament, resumes at the quarterfinal stage this weekend with much of the focus on crisis club Chelsea’s visit to second-tier Middlesbrough.
Russian striker Dzyuba says he rejected call-up for family, not political reasons
March 18 – Russia’s national team captain Artem Dzyuba has denied he asked not to join the side’s training camp because of the conflict in Ukraine.
OFC 2022 qualifiers: Solomon Islands open with win, Vanuatu hit by Covid, NZ waiting
March 18 – The Solomon Islands defeated the Cook Islands 2-0 to kick off the eight-team Oceania World Cup qualifiers with a ticket for the intercontinental playoffs at stake, but on the first day of the tournament Tahiti – Vanuatu had to be postponed because of a Covid-19 outbreak.