Berlusconi completes €740m AC Milan sale to Chinese and US investors
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – Silvio Berlusconi has completed his long running sale of Serie A giants AC Milan to Chinese-owned Rossoneri Sport Luxembourg for €740 million.
Gold Cup 2025
Mexico open defence with a win but Dominican Republic push them to the last minute
Mexico 3 Dominican Republic 2
June 14 – In a city that saw tens of thousands on the street during the day protesting the mass deportations of immigrants by Donald Trump’s administration, the Gold Cup kicked off in an eery atmosphere at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Chiyangwa calls for AFCON rights to be stripped from Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Guinea
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Ambitious Zimbabwean FA leader Philip Chiyangwa, who heads the 14-strong Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), has written to the new head of African football to officially protest over the manner in which hosting rights for the African Cup of Nations were handled by the previous regime.
Teqball goes official with debut of international federation and a World Cup
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – The football training game Teqball now has an official international federation to organise competitions and championships. Launched at the end of last month in Budapest, Hungary, the Fédération International de Teqball (FITEQ), will champion the game and register official players and teams.
Mexican opinion rebels against 2026 bid pact as ‘crumbs’ and a lack of ‘respect’
April 13 – Mexican players and commentators have reacted with irritation verging on anger at the decision to hand the country only 10 of the 80 matches at the 2026 World Cup if the tournament, as expected, goes to CONCACAF.
Money points to a Barca, Bayern or Real CL win, but can Juve upset the cash balance
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – The last eight teams in the Champions League quarter finals show a disparity of income that would indicate the 2017 winners will almost inevitable be one of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich. But with Juventus taking a three goal lead into their second leg at Barcelona and Real Madrid or Bayern destined to knock one or the other out, the comparative have-nots might still have their day.
Dortmund complain UEFA gave players no choice over rescheduled Monaco game
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Handed a rare home defeat in their re-arranged Champions League quarterfinal first leg, Borussia Dortmund have thrown the book at UEFA claiming European football’s governing body “totally ignored” the players’ state of mind following the previous day’s explosions near the team bus that led to the fixture being postponed for a mere 24 hours.
EFL clubs confirm introduction of goalline technology for next season
April 13 – Goalline technology will be used in this season’s English Championship play-offs before being introduced in all second-tier matches in 2017-18.
Leicester fans clash with Madrid police before Athletico match
April 13 – Leicester City fans were involved in ugly clashes with Spanish police ahead of their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid in the latest outbreak of violence involving English supporters.
At over £110K a week Man Utd player earns 281 times more than a fan
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – Manchester United pay their players on average 281 times more than their fans earn, the third highest differential in Europe, only beaten by Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid who pay their players 350 times what the average fan earns.
Drogba joins Bravo at USL’s Phoenix Rising with sights set on MLS
April 13 – Former Ivory Coast, Chelsea and most recently Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba has become the biggest name to join US challenger league the USL, the second tier of professional football in the US.
Spurs combine with William Hill to boost local job opportunities
April 13 – Tottenham Hotspur who are redeveloping their White Hart Lane stadium as the centrepiece of a regeneration of their local area, have launched a new programme with bookmakers William Hill aimed at helping young people in Haringey into employment.
Relaxed but eerie atmosphere in Dortmund as fans and clubs return to CL business
By Samindra Kunti in Dortmund
April 12 – It should have been a 90-minute football fest of supremely gifted talents, coached by Thomas Tuchel and Leonardo Jardim, two of the best in the business.
US, Canada and Mexico push agenda for early 2026 award at FIFA Congress in May
By Paul Nicholson and Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – The United States, Mexico and Canada have somewhat cheekily asked FIFA to fast-track their bid to stage the 2026 World Cup without a proper competitive process.
Fans, players and officials show solidarity in aftermath of Dortmund bus bomb
By Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – The football world has reacted with shock and dismay after Tuesday’s Champions League tie between Borussia Dortmund and Monaco had to be postponed because of three explosions close to the Dortmund team bus.
FIFA Congress agenda to tackle issues of Ethics, Israeli clubs and … their pay
By Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – Whilst the process for hosting the 2026 World Cup is perhaps the standout item on the agenda for next month’s FIFA Congress (see separate article), the future of FIFA’s ethics committee and the crisis involving Palestine and Israel are also up for potentially contentious discussion in Bahrain.