NWSL expansion could hit 32 teams, say commissioner Berman
April 9 – Jessica Berman, National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) commissioner, speaking at the SheBelieves Summit, said that the US women’s league could expand to 32 teams.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Brazil mourns loss of goalkeeping legend Manga, aged 87
April 9 – Manga, one of Brazil’s goalkeepers at the 1966 World Cup, has died at the age of 87 following a battle with prostate cancer.
Keeping it local. Centreville Bank takes naming rights to Rhode Island FC’s new stadium
April 9 – Rhode Island FC, who debuted in the US’s second tier USL Championship in 2024, will open their second season in their new stadium with a new corporate partner, Centreville Bank, who have bought the stadium naming rights.
LaLiga appeals Olmo and Víctor ruling saying it violates FFP principles of equality
April 8 – LaLiga is not backing away from the fight with Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) and FC Barcelona over the contested registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.
AFC kicks off its first Empowering Women in Football educational programme
April 8 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched the inaugural iteration of its Empowering Women in Football Programme (AEWFP).
Man City keep legal pressure on Premier League’s with new challenge to APT rules
April 7 – Manchester City has initiated another legal challenge against the Premier League over rules regarding “associated party transactions” (APT).
The club is contesting amendments to the APT rules that were voted on by Premier League clubs last November. These changes were implemented following an earlier legal challenge by the defending champions.
Investing in his future: CBF’s Rodrigues gives 330% rise to state presidents, coupled with VIP Qatar 2022 junkets
April 7 – The salaries of the presidents of the 27 Brazilian state federations have jumped from R$50,000 (US$8,555) to R$215,000 (US$36,777) per month, an increase of 330% under the administration of CBF boss Ednaldo Rodrigues that also extended to junkets at the 2022 World Cup.
Unbeaten PSG secure 13th Ligue 1 title with six games to play
April 7 – Paris Saint-Germain sealed their 13th Ligue 1 title – and 11th under Qatari ownership – with a 1-0 win over Angers on Saturday, extending their domestic dominance with a remarkable season-long unbeaten run and clinching the championship with six matches still to play.
UEFA fines Rüdiger, Mbappé, and Ceballos fined for behaviour at Atletico but allows them to keep playing
April 7 – UEFA has fined three Real Madrid players – Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, and Dani Ceballos – following last month’s highly charged UEFA Champions League last-16 clash against city rivals Atlético Madrid.
Burundi boss Jérémie Manirakiza detained for supporting rebel M23 group
April 7 – Jérémie Manirakiza, the secretary general of the Burundi Football Federation (FFB), has been arrested at Bujumbura airport by intelligence services. He was been detained for his alleged support for the rebel military group M23.
DAZN struggles to find terrestrial offload as BBC and ITV turn back on Club World Cup rights
April 7 – England claims to be the home of football, but this summer, it won’t be the home of the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) after both the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and their rivals, Independent Television (ITV) declined to move forward in televising the competition to be held in the United States.
CAS called to rule on the ins and outs of FIFA’s Club World Cup qualification shambles
April 7 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has a busy month unravelling the qualification mess that FIFA’s Club World Cup has become following the late barring of Club León from the competition over multi-club ownership rules.
Bigger, better, more? Gianni gets what Gianni wants, but is 64 World Cup teams too much?
April 6 – In early March, Ignacio Alonso from Uruguay made the wild proposal of expanding the FIFA World Cup from 48 teams to 64 in 2030. It is a proposal that is supported by Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez and insiders say it is the brainchild of Gianni Infantino.
End of the Road for DAZN with LFP broadcast rights?
April 7 – The rocky relationship between broadcaster DAZN and France’s Ligue 1 (LFP) has hit a new low with DAZN considering cancelling its contract at the end of the domestic season.
Zingarevich to hand 30% of Botev shares to fans’ trust to manage sale
April 7 – Botev Plovdiv owner Anton Zingarevich has taken another step towards releasing a 30% stake in the club. A few days ago the Russian businessman announced that he intends to sell the shares to fans. Now he intends to give them away.