AFC sets up draw for final Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers
February 17 – The draw for the final round qualifiers for the Asian Cup China 2023 will be made next Thursday February 24 with 11 qualifying places to play for.
More goal chances and more ball in play: North and Western European leagues top ranking
February 17 – The professional leagues of Northern and Western Europe see teams playing more ‘openly’ that the leagues in South and East of the continent, according to data from the CIES Football Observatory.
OL reports first half revenue boost as covid retreats and fans return
February 17 – France’s OL Groupe, owners of Ligue 1 Olympique Lyon, is reporting a first half return to profitability for the 2021-22 season with revenues up 7% from the same period in 2020-21 to €75 million.
Italy issues international arrest warrant for convicted rapist Robinho
February 17 – Italian authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for Robinho, the former Brazil star who was convicted of rape in Italy.
Hosts Uzbekistan drawn with Iran and Qatar for U23 Asian Cup group stage
February 14 – The AFC has held the draw for the men’s U23 Championship to be held in Uzbekistan this summer.
Trade Nation punts on West Brom as club looks to trade up
February 17 – English Championship club West Bromwich Albion, who are currently in the play-off positions and looking to bounceback to the Premier League after just a season out, have added trading services provider Trade Nation as a major commercial partner.
FIFPRO survey finds 75% of players are against FIFA’s biennial World Cup plans
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – FIFA’s biennial World Cup drive has suffered yet another setback after global players’ union FIFPRO revealed its members overwhelmingly oppose the idea.
Benfica deny €1.9m was paid via third-party business to referee Bruno Paixão
February 16 – A former Portuguese referee is under investigation for allegedly receiving up to €1.9 million from Benfica which could, if proven, reportedly lead to the Lisbon club being sensationally relegated.
Thailand steps up to host three centralised East zone AFC Champions League groups
February 16 – The AFC is staying with centralised venues for its Champions League 2022 with the first group hosts in the East Asia region finalised for April 15 kick off.
UEFA announces Socios.com deal but fan groups fear risks of unregulated crypto
February 16 – UEFA’s partnership with blockchain-based Fan Token platform Socios, announced yesterday, has quickly drawn criticism from fan groups who accuse the European governing body of leaving fans in the hands of “crypto-mercenaries”.
Haiti’s Cavaly pulls out of Concacaf Champions League after failure to obtain US visas
February 16 – Haitian club AS Cavaly has formally withdrawn from the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League after the club failed to obtain visas for the US.
UEFA land in Albania where politics and football have reached pre-election boiling point
February 16 – A UEFA delegation has arrived in Albania to evaluate the electoral process of the national federation before clubs vote on a new FA president next month amid concerns about political interference.
SIGA line up more speakers for New York female leadership summit
February 16 – Former professional player, now a broadcast presenter, Alex Scott, has been announced as a speaker for the SIGA Summit on Female Leadership in Sport in New York, March 8-9.
Premier League’s ‘big six’ refuse to sign owners’ charter
February 16 – England’s big six clubs are resisting a new owners’ charter that was proposed by the Premier League after the collapse of European Super League plans last spring.
Praise for Abu Dhabi as last-minute hosts of CWC
February 16 – Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates has received a glowing post-event plaudits for its hosting of the Club World Cup having stepped in at the last minute to host the competition.