Ukraine asked Abramovich to broker peace, claims advisor
March 1 – Chelsea’s billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich has been asked by Ukraine to help broker peace with his country according to the oligarch’s official spokesperson.
World Football
England say they will refuse to play Russia; but Russian women still inbound for Euro 2022
February 28 – England has become the latest country to refuse to play international fixtures against Russia.
Tite says Qatar 2022 will be his final bow
February 28 – Brazil coach Tite will step down after the 2022 World Cup, bringing to an end a 7.5-year reign irrespective of the five-time world champions’ result in Qatar.
UEFA switch Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – As widely anticipated, UEFA have stripped St Petersburg of hosting this season’s Champions League final and switched their annual showpiece fixture to the Stade de France in Paris as a result of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Schalke 04 drop Gazprom from shirt sponsorship
February 25 – German club Schalke 04 have removed Gazprom logo from the main shirt sponsorship position after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
CBF ends any chance of Caboclo return with extension of his ban
February 25 – Rogerio Caboclo’s time at the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) has come to a definite end following a new 20-month suspension which will prevent him from returning to his role before the end of his mandate in April 2023.
FIFA cracks down on political influence and suspends Zimbabwe and Kenya
February 25 – FIFA have suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya from all international competition as a result of government interference in the running of their affairs.
Honduras to host Concacaf U20 Championships which will qualify for U20 World Cup and Paris Olympics
February 25 – Honduras will host the 2022 Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship (June 18 – July 30), in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
FA wins £800k Arts Council grant to run Euro 2020 arts and cultural programme
February 25 – The FA has snagged an £800,000 grant from Arts Council England to run an arts and cultural programme alongside Women’s EURO 2022 in England. The money comes from the Arts Council National Lottery funding.
UEFA calls emergency meeting as Russia starts to bomb Kiev
February 24 – Under pressure to respond to Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called an extraordinary meeting of his executive committee for tomorrow, Friday.
Benfica’s Yaremchuk reveals Ukraine emblem after scoring against Ajax
February 24 – UEFA’s resolve over how to react to Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine has been further tested after Benfica’s Ukrainian international Roman Yaremchuk unveiled a trident logo in support of his homeland during Wednesday night’s Champions League last-16 game against Ajax.
US women’s team agree $24m settlement of equal pay dispute
By Samindra Kunti
February 23 – In a landmark moment, the U.S. national women’s team has negotiated $24 million in an equal pay settlement, bringing to an end a prolonged class-action lawsuit with the US Soccer Federation.
Poland demand clarification of Qatar 2022 qualifying play-off against Russia
February 23 – With pressure growing on UEFA to shift the Champions League final away from Saint Petersburg over the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Poland has demanded that FIFA clarify the fate of their World Cup playoff against Russia.
Greek crackdown on violence sees suspension of supporters’ clubs
February 23 – In yet another crackdown move to try and reduce fan violence, supporters’ clubs are being shut down in Greece for five months, triggered by the murder of a 19-year-old who was stabbed and beaten to death by hooligans in the northern city of Thessaloniki.
Questionable judgement: Mourinho gets touchline ban after threatening ref
February 23 – Roma boss Jose Mourinho has been slapped with a two-match touchline ban and a €20,000 fine after he was sent off during Roma’s 2-2 draw with Verona on Saturday.