Alonso re-elected to presidency of Uruguayan FA, after challenger Ferrari controversially stands down
February 17 – Ignacio Alonso has been re-elected for another four-year term to lead the Uruguayan FA (AUF).
World Football
Čeferin unopposed for UEFA presidency but race hots up for exco seats
February 16 – UEFA has re-confirmed that Aleksander Čeferin will stand for re-election to the UEFA presidency unopposed with the announcement of candidates for election at its 47th Ordinary Congress in Lisbon on April 5.
French sports minister denies interference in FFF despite ordering audit of Le Graët’s leadership
February 16 – France’s sports minister has refuted any suggestion of government interference in the affairs of the French FA (FFF) as the fallout gathers pace over the status of veteran FFF chief Noel le Graët.
Canada’s Priestman calls for end to equality dispute ahead of SheBelieves kick-off
February 16 – Canada women’s coach Bev Priestman has called on Canada Soccer and her players to resolve their labour dispute over pay equality and cutbacks to the programme as soon as possible as the country enters crucial preparations for this year’s Women’s World Cup.
Dominican Republic to host U20 Women’s finals as Concacaf kicks off new youth formats
February 16 – Concacaf is returning to the Dominican Republic for the finals of its Women’s U20 Championship that will qualify three teams for next year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup.
With fears of Russian coup growing, Moldova’s Sheriff told to play Partizan behind closed doors
February 21 – Partizan Belgrade fans have been banned from travelling to watch their side play Sheriff Tiraspol in Thursday’s Europa Conference League tie as tensions escalate in Moldova amid fears Russia may be planning a coup.
Infantino to back disgraced Le Graet and warn against interfering with FFF at Macron meeting, reports
February 15 – Gianni Infantino will plead the case of disgraced French FA president Noel Le Graet when he meets today with French president Emmanuel Macron, according to unconfirmed French media reports.
Aston Villa owners V Sports expand club portfolio with minority stake in Portugal’s Vitória SC
February 15 – Aston Villa’s owners V Sports are set to buy a 46% stake in Portuguese club Vitória Sport Clube.
Concacaf revamps youth championships to provide more games and more competitive edge
February 14 – Concacaf is revamping its competition formats for the its men’s and women’s youth tournaments that will see a minimum 20% increase in the number of matches played. The new look competitions will start in April 2023.
Bayern take the advantage with a 1-0 win over sluggish PSG
By Samindra Kunti in Paris
February 15 – Bayern Munich Kingsley Coman’s second-half volley was enough to sink his boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain and leave the French champions on the brink of another premature Champions League exit.
UEFA apologises as report lays blame for UCL final chaos on ‘lack of oversight’
February 14 – Independent UEFA-appointed investigators have found European football’s governing body mainly responsible for the security chaos at the 2022 Champions League final in Paris between Liverpool and Real Madrid that put thousands of lives at risk.
Jakub Jankto breaks men’s football’s biggest taboo saying he ‘no longer wants to hide’
February 14 – In a groundbreaking moment, Czech international Jakub Jankto has become the first active international men’s player to declare he is gay.
CSB says it has yet to earn from Canada Soccer deal, but is ready to provide more cash
February 14 – Following the debacle over the Canadian Women’s team strike threat, and accusations of a lack of financial transparency over the commercial deals of Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), the commercial partner of Canada Soccer, has issued a statement.
beIN Sports completes 4-year renewal for Conmebol’s club competitions
February 14 – Qatari-based broadcaster beIN Sports has renewed its commitment to South American football, extending its licensing of broadcast rights to the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana for the MENA region in a four-year deal.
Legal threat persuades Canadian women to suspend strike action ahead of SheBelieves Cup
February 13 – Canada will play in the SheBelieves Cup after Canada Soccer threatened legal action against the women’s national team players. They had threatened strike action but have now returned to training ahead of the tournament.