Fire sale? Abramovich shops Chelsea to billionaire boys club
March 2 – Speculation is mounting than Chelsea’s billionaire oligarch owner Roman Abramovich may be about to sell the club in the wake of his country’s invasion of Ukraine.
World Football
Belgians get radical with revamped second tier format, addition of U23 teams and play-offs
March 2 – The Belgian second division will expand to 12 teams with the introduction of both four U-23 teams and a playoff system from next season, the Pro League has confirmed.
UEFA Foundation releases €1m+ in emergency aid for Ukrainian children
March 2 – UEFA has released €1 million from its Foundation for Children to help children in Ukraine as well as child refugees in neighbouring countries.
ECA boots out its seven Russian club members
March 2 – The European Club Association (ECA) has kicked out its Russian members following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Gisdol quits Lokomotiv Moscow, Ukraine league’s overseas players evacuated
March 2 – While football’s governing bodies and clubs with Russian sponsorship are turning their back on the country following the invasion of Ukraine, individual protest action is also gathering pace.
Former Liverpool defender Song takes over Cameroon for crucial Qatar 2022 play-offs
March 2 – Rigobert Song will succeed Toni Conceição as head coach of the Indomitable Lions, the Cameroonian sports ministry has announced.
Doors close on Usmanov who stands down as FIE president
March 3 – Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, a former Arsenal shareholder and who is linked to Everton via sponsorships and its chairman Farhad Moshiri, has stepped down as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
Ukraine asked Abramovich to broker peace, claims advisor
March 1 – Chelsea’s billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich has been asked by Ukraine to help broker peace with his country according to the oligarch’s official spokesperson.
England say they will refuse to play Russia; but Russian women still inbound for Euro 2022
February 28 – England has become the latest country to refuse to play international fixtures against Russia.
Tite says Qatar 2022 will be his final bow
February 28 – Brazil coach Tite will step down after the 2022 World Cup, bringing to an end a 7.5-year reign irrespective of the five-time world champions’ result in Qatar.
UEFA switch Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – As widely anticipated, UEFA have stripped St Petersburg of hosting this season’s Champions League final and switched their annual showpiece fixture to the Stade de France in Paris as a result of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Schalke 04 drop Gazprom from shirt sponsorship
February 25 – German club Schalke 04 have removed Gazprom logo from the main shirt sponsorship position after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
CBF ends any chance of Caboclo return with extension of his ban
February 25 – Rogerio Caboclo’s time at the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) has come to a definite end following a new 20-month suspension which will prevent him from returning to his role before the end of his mandate in April 2023.
FIFA cracks down on political influence and suspends Zimbabwe and Kenya
February 25 – FIFA have suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya from all international competition as a result of government interference in the running of their affairs.
Honduras to host Concacaf U20 Championships which will qualify for U20 World Cup and Paris Olympics
February 25 – Honduras will host the 2022 Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship (June 18 – July 30), in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, Honduras.