Fans demand Premier League puts a freeze on ticket prices
February 26 – English football’s main supporters group has written to the Premier League calling for a division-wide ticket freeze next season.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Peru’s Alianza Lima beat Boca Juniors in shoot-out to stay in Copa Libertadores qualifiers
February 26 – Alianza Lima of Peru defeated Boca Juniors 5-4 from the penalty spot to eliminate the Argentinians from the Copa Libertadores qualifiers.
Saudi bank Alinma buys naming rights to King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
February 26 – Saudi Arabian bank Alinma has secured the naming rights to one of the key stadiums set to host matches at the 2034 FIFA World Cup, marking the first step in Saudi Arabia’s aggressive commercial push ahead of the tournament in nine years’ time.
Cost-cutting Man Utd hand chief recruitment role to Christopher Vivell
February 26 – Manchester United have confirmed Christopher Vivell as their full-time director of recruitment, solidifying his place in the INEOS-led shake-up at Old Trafford.
Final four announce preliminary rosters for 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals next month
February 26 – Canada, Mexico, Panama and the USA have all announced 60-player preliminary rosters for the Nations League Finals to be played March 20 and March 23 – both match days to be played as double headers at the SoFi Stadium in Hollywood Park, Los Angeles. Final 23-player rosters will be announced March 10.
Bees to microchip match-worn shirts to take sting out of fraudsters
February 26 – Match-worn shirts are fast becoming a micro-industry generating millions of pounds, however, it’s not always guaranteed that the shirt was actually worn in a game by the player in question until today.
Top player, top tournament? Is AFCON why Salah won’t win Ballon d’Or?
February 26 – Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher has drawn the ire of former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand with his comments disparaging the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Bayern launch Instagram channel for training and talent spotting
February 26 – Youth talent development and global scouting are key weapons in the arsenal of clubs looking to get an edge, and that’s one of the reasons FC Bayern Munich have just released @fcbayernpathway.
BFU bans leading academy from national training base after referee attacked at U14 cup final
February 26 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has terminated its relations with the Ares Football Academy and banned all of their teams from training at the Boyana National Football Base.
Čeferin talks globalism and Champions League in a world that has not been as dangerous since pre-WW2
February 25 – UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin reckons that 99% of people are now satisfied with the Champions League but says there is no discussion about taking the final of the competition to the US, despite the new partnership with new US-based marketing agency Relevent.
AFC’s Pro Football Committee approves new regs to strengthen club game
February 25 – Hand-in-hand with the expansion and rebranding of its club competitions, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) launched a Professional Football Committee aimed at strengthening the professional standards of the Continental club game.
Marseilles president accuses French refs of rigging games after loss to Auxerre
February 24 – Marseille president Pablo Longoria (pictured) faces almost certain punishment from French footballing authorities after an outburst on Saturday in which he claimed his club were the victims of “corruption” following a 3-0 Ligue 1 loss to Auxerre.
Textor fires both barrels at PSG’s ‘illegal’ state finance model, saying rules are not being applied evenly
February 24 – Lyon co-owner John Textor has publicly criticised PSG’s ownership structure, labeling it as ‘illegal’.
Rubiales loses CAS appeal against FIFA ban. Now he is set to challenge court over guilty verdict
February 24 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed an appeal by disgraced former Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales against his three-year FIFA ban for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the medal ceremony after the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
Brazil extends match-fixing probe as English FA decision on Paqueta case nears
February 24 – The Brazilian Senate has extended an investigation into match fixing and sports betting, awaiting the outcome of the FA’s investigation into Lucas Paqueta.