NISA confirms June start for third edition of Independent Cup
May 6 – The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), which runs a USSF-recognised third tier league in the US, has announced the return of the NISA Independent Cup (NIC).
World Football
Seattle Sounders break Mexican grip on Champions League with history making win over Pumas
May 5 – MLS club Seattle Sounders broke the vice-like grip LigaMX clubs have held on the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League with a 3-0 win over Pumas UNAM in the second leg of the final at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
UCL: Real Madrid shatter Man City dreams to book Paris trip for Liverpool rendezvous
By Andrew Warshaw
May 5 – It’s happened again, only this time it’s scarcely believable. Just like Paris St Germain, Manchester City are still chasing the most coveted prize in European club football after being knocked out in the semi-finals of the Champions League by a Real Madrid team who yet again defied the odds to take their place in the final against Liverpool on May 28.
FIFA acts on systemic sexual abuse in Gabon with first four officials banned
May 4 – FIFA have extended an investigation into alleged systematic sexual abuse of under-age players in Gabon by opening formal proceedings against four officials.
Beating the Premier League: Ceferin argues other Big 5 leagues aren’t competitive enough
May 4 – With Liverpool through to the final of the Champions League and Manchester City aiming to join them to set up yet another all-English showdown, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has bemoaned the lack of competitiveness in other so-called Big Five footballing countries where the domestic leagues are perennially dominated by the same teams.
Ajax promise change of culture after Overmars scandal
May 4 – Ajax Amsterdam have vowed to change their club culture and build a safe workplace for female employees following a report into Marc Overmars’ inappropriate behaviour.
Faulkner takes comms lead at ECA
May 4 – The European Club Association (ECA) has appointed former UEFA official Rob Faulkner as its new director of communications and marketing.
Brazil’s breakaway league ‘Libra’ signs key Rio and Sao Paulo clubs, talks ongoing with 14 others
By Samindra Kunti
May 4 – Brazilian football is moving rapidly towards the launch of the breakaway league ‘Libra’ with six of the country’s biggest clubs now signed up.
UEFA ends Russian women’s Euro 22 hopes as participation doors slammed shut across the sport
By Andrew Warshaw
May 3 – Any hopes Russia may have had of returning to the global footballing fold have been dashed by a swathe of strict new sanctions imposed by UEFA in the wake of the continued invasion of Ukraine.
Real Madrid’s LaLiga title makes it a Big 5-out-of-5 league wins for Ancelotti
May 3 – Carlo Ancelotti has become the first manager to capture the league title in each of Europe’s top five leagues – England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France.
Draw for Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July pairs Nigeria and Africa in same group
May 3 – Paired in the same group, Nigeria and South Africa will headline the first round of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July.
Out of contract. Super agent Mino Raiola dies, aged 54
May 3 – One of the game’s most colourful and controversial figures, football agent Mino Raiola died at the age of 54, his family confirmed on Saturday.
Senegal fined after World Cup 2022 qualifying win over Egypt
May 3 – FIFA has ordered Senegal to play one competitive match behind closed doors and has fined Senegal’s FA CHF175,000 for fan disorder at a World Cup playoff game, including shining laser pointers at Liverpool’s Egyptian star striker Mohamed Salah.
European Leagues says UEFA’s new UCL format will damage domestic competitions
By Andrew Warshaw
April 29 – Europe’s major leagues have rekindled the fierce debate over the future format of the Champions League by urging UEFA to change tack in order to protect domestic football.
Barca greenlighted for €1.5bn Nou Camp renovation
April 29 – FC Barcelona have been given the green light by local authorities to begin work on redeveloping the Nou Camp, with the renovation expected to finish in the 2025-26 season.