Spanish media follow the political line and refuse to recognise Kosovo
April 1 – Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Kosovo on Wednesday may have gone ahead as planned but it was always likely to be embroiled in controversy.
World Football
UEFA stalls on Champions League reveal as big clubs and leagues battle for €$£
By Andrew Warshaw
March 31 – A decision on the future of the Champions League post-2024 has been delayed until next month with UEFA seemingly at loggerheads with Europe’s elite clubs and leagues over the precise nature of the deal.
Covid cheating? Benin stay on the bus refusing to accept validity of positive tests in Sierra Leone
March 31 – African football has been hit by yet another Covid-related controversy after Benin refused to play a decisive African Cup of Nations qualifying game in Sierra Leone after disputing that five of its players had tested positive just before kick-off.
Belgian boss Martinez calls for Euro 2020 squads to be expanded to up to 27 players
By Samindra Kunti in Leuven
March 31 – Belgium national team coach Roberto Martinez has voiced his support to expand national team squads to 26, 27 players for Euro 2020, calling it “a necessity”.
Swedish FA calls in Sportradar to boost fight against match-fixing
March 31 – Swedish football that has been rocked by match-fixing scandal and saw criminal charges issued against five individuals last December, has moved to beef up its integrity operations via an increased betting monitoring deal with Sportradar.
Belgians add voice to protests calling for change in Qatar and action against racism
March 31 – The world’s number one team Belgium wore t-shirts on Tuesday in support of migrant workers involved in building 2022 World Cup stadiums in Qatar, following other European sides in protesting for improved human rights in the Gulf state.
NWSL adds online bank Ally as sleeve sponsor across all 10 teams
March 31 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US has struck a deal with online bank Ally whose logo will appear on the sleeves of all 10 clubs in NWSL this season.
EFL secures £117m loan to fund Championship clubs through Covid
March 30 – The English Football League (EFL) has secured a £117 million loan fund for Championship clubs with MetLife Investment Management.
Omari calls it a day and says he will not run for Congolese FA presidency
March 30 – Constant Omari is slowly exiting football through the back door. The often controversial but influential official has said he will not stand in the upcoming elections of the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA).
European Leagues beefs up management board
March 30 – The European Leagues, the umbrella body serving 35 competitions in 30 countries, has decided not to replace outgoing president Lars-Christer Olsson and instead to restructure its senior management.
Bubble burst: Wales send three home for covid rule breaking
March 30 – Three of the Welsh squad preparing for tonight’s all-important World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic have been sent home for breaching Covid-19 rules.
Lewandowski to miss Poland’s crucial 2022 in England
March 30 – Poland captain and world player of the year Robert Lewandowski will miss Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier with England due to knee injury, a potentially damaging blow to his country’s hopes of automatic qualification.
South Africa crash out of AFCON 2021 qualification with loss in Sudan
March 29 – South Africa have failed to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a 2-0 defeat in their final group C game against Sudan in Karthoum.
Greek 2004 hero Zagorakis to wear the armband on Hellenic FA board
March 29 – Euro 2004 hero Theodoros Zagorakis has been elected the new president of the Hellenic Football Association (EPO) for a four-year term.
Mexico and Honduras head for Tokyo Olympic finals, US and Canada out
March 29 – Mexico and Honduras make the final qualification list for the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympics to be played this summer.