CSKA Sofia mandates players to work with club’s foundation charities
February 5 – Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia has added a special clause to player contacts, starting this month, that will oblige them to participate in charitable causes.
News
Manchester City spend more than EPL rivals combined in winter window
The January transfer window saw plenty of movement across the globe, headlined by Manchester City spending more than the rest of the English Premier League (EPL) combined as they attempted to patch holes in their increasingly leaky title defence.
Costa Rican side take FIFA to court over failure to enforce club ownership rules
February 4 – Costa Rican club Alajuelense are taking their fight to play in the expanded Club World Cup to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). They have launched legal action against FIFA over what they see as the governing body’s failure to enforce its own rules regarding club ownership in the 32-team tournament.
Rubiales’ actions ruined ‘one of the happiest days of my life’ states Hermoso
February 4 – Disgraced former Spanish Football Association (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales ruined what should have been “one of the happiest days” of Jenny Hermoso’s life, she told the first day of the infamous “kissgate” scandal trial in Madrid.
Wrexham story turns another page with plans for new 5,500-capacity stand
February 4 – There aren’t many lower-league European clubs that constantly make international football news across the pond, but the Wrexham story continues to be a source of fascination to U.S. fans – courtesy of their celebrity ownership duo of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who bought the Welsh club in 2021.
Gravina earns third term as Italian Football Federation President
February 4 – Incumbent Gabriele Gravina has been re-elected as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for a third term following a resounding electoral victory.
Santos legend Antonio Lima passes away at the age of 83
February 4 – Brazil and Santos legend Antonio Lima passed away on Monday at the age of 83 after a month-long hospitalisation.
Documentary goes behind the scenes of Romanian national team at EURO 2024
February 4 – The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has announced the launch of a new series dedicated to the participation of the Romanian national team at EURO 2024 in Germany. The three-part documentary, called “Generation of Soul”, will be available in March 2025 on a streaming platform.
Museum set to open in Hong Kong to honour Cristiano Ronaldo
February 4 – Cristiano Ronaldo once again showed he has plenty of goals left in him on the eve of his 40th birthday as he notched a brace in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 win over Al-Wasl in the Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League Elite on Monday.
Chelsea’s Sam Kerr called police officer “stupid and white”, trial is told
February 4 – Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, widely considered to be one of the top women players in the world, is currently on trial at Kingston Crown Court charged with causing racially aggravated harassment to PC Stephen Lovell in the early hours of 30 January 2023.
Fox’s Tubi streaming service secures live rights for Concacaf Champions Cup games
February 4 – Streaming service Tubi, owned by Fox Corporation, is to become the exclusive home for the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico.
FIFA tells European Parliament to get back in line after their 2034 World Cup bid criticisms
February 3 – In a strongly worded letter, world governing body FIFA has rebuked criticism by Members of the European Parliament over the host award of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Tebas launches blistering attacks against A22, Unify League, Perez and FIFA’s Club World Cup
February 3 – Outspoken Spanish league boss Javier Tebas (pictured) has launched another scathing attack on Real Madrid for backing a European Super League and warns against taking revised plans for the breakaway league lightly, saying it could do untold damage.
After ‘peace in our time’ Infantino love-in, trade war erupts between 2026 World Cup partners
February 3 – US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, prompting a trade war between the long-time allies and the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup.
Arsenal, Bayern and PSG pressured over Visit Rwanda sponsorship as rebels lay waste to DRC
February 3 – The Democratic Republic of Congo has called on Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain to end their “blood stained” sponsorship deals with Visit Rwanda because of the ongoing conflict in the region.