Flamengo beat Palmeiras on penalties to win Brazilian Super Cup
April 12 – Flamengo claimed their first prize of the season winning the Brazilian Super Cup 6-5 on penalties against Palmeiras on Sunday.
World Football
National League hammers its clubs for failing to complete fixtures during the pandemic
By Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – In what amounts to one of the most draconian and insensitive rulings in non-league football, 17 English clubs have been punished for failing to meet fixture obligations – in the middle of a pandemic.
CAF go back to school with new championship launch plan
April 12 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched a Pan-African School Football Championship, the governing body announced on Saturday.
Italian legend De Rossi hospitalised
April 4 – Former Italy captain Daniele De Rossi, now the national team’s technical coach, has been admitted to an infectious diseases hospital with pneumonia symptoms after testing positive for coronavirus.
Concacaf to kick off Gold Cup in Miami, July 2, with centralised final qualifiers
By Paul Nicholson
April 8 – The Gold Cup will open in Miami July 2 with a series of knockout rounds to qualify the final three teams for the 16-team Gold Cup that kicks off July 10.
McAllister emphasises her football credentials in bid for UEFA seat at FIFA Council
April 9 – Laura McAllister, the Football Association of Wales nominee for Europe’s female place on the FIFA Council, has launched her manifesto ahead of the election on April 20, highlighting her experience in football and how that, along with her professional skills, make her the ideal candidate to represent UEFA’s 55 member nations at the top table of world football.
Parents of fire victim set to sue Flamengo; club to buy covid vaccines for players and fans
April 9 – In their legal dispute with Flamengo, the parents of the late Christian Esmerio are demanding 10 million reais (€1.5 million) in damages from the Rio Club. In 2019, a night-time blaze swept through the Flamengo training centre on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, killing ten youth players.
Azeri guarantee UEFA that Baku stadium can be at least 50% full for Euros
April 9 – With UEFA due to decide a list of venues for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament at their executive committee on April 19, Azerbaijan has guaranteed 50% of total fan attendance at Baku’s Olympic Stadium for this summer’s finals.
PFA threatens EFL with legal action if it moves to limit squad sizes
April 9 – England’s Professional Footballers’ Association is considering legal action if the English Football League, which covers the three divisions below the Premier League, does not scrap its proposed limits on squad sizes.
Danish bank pulls sponsorship of national team but not over Qatar 2022 human rights concerns
April 9 – Arbejdernes Landsbank, a major partner of the Danish FA (DBU), have pulled their sponsorship of the national team over the quick-loans law with concerns over the Qatar World Cup lingering in the background.
FIFA bans Chad after government attempts FA takeover
April 9 – Having banned Pakistan earlier this week for third party interference in the national federation’s affairs, FIFA have also kicked out Chad because of government interference.
SuperSport signs up for Qatar 2022 coverage. CAF events next?
April 9 – African football may be struggling to secure meaningful broadcast deals with their domestic broadcasters, but their masters at FIFA have secured a key deal for the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar.
Autograph-hunting linesman banned despite donating his signed cards to autism charity
April 9 – The Romanian linesman who asked Europe’s most sought-after young player, Erling Haaland, to sign his red and yellow cards has reportedly been banned form officiating in his country’s top tier.
Police fire tear gas and beat delegates at Al Merrikh general meeting in Sudan
By Paul Nicholson
April 8 – Sudanese football has witnessed more administrative chaos in the battle for control with state Emergency Police having been called to break up the general assembly of the leading Almerrikh club.
Ajax offer fans season ticket refunds
April 8 – Ajax Amsterdam will offer season ticket holders a full or partial refund for the matches they have missed out on this season, the Dutch club has announced.