First blood to Atletico Mineiro with Super Cup shoot out win over Flamengo
February 21 – Atletico Mineiro have won the Brazilian Super Cup, defeating rivals Flamengo 8-7 from the penalty spot after a nail-biting 2-2 draw.
World Football
AFC pushes futsal to next level with enhanced set of club licensing criteria
February 21 – Asian futsal has been a solid success story with national teams competing with parity on the global level and club sides attracting fan attention across the region in the AFC’s Futsal championships.
Brazilian breakaway league gathers pace as 10 clubs form ‘Forte Futebol’ alliance
By Samindra Kunti
February 18 – Ten Brazilian top flight clubs have formed ‘Forte Futebol’, a group to bolster a collective bargaining position amid ongoing talks over a breakaway league.
Norwegian study highlights brain injury dangers from heading
February 18 – A study in Norway has revealed that repeated heading and accidental head impacts in football can alter the blood structure of the brain.
LaLiga to return to full stadium capacity March
February 18 – La Liga can return to packed stadiums after Spain’s health minister said that health authorities have decided to allow football stadiums and other sports venues to operate at full capacity again.
Arrest warrants issued for OFC bosses charged with fraud over House of Football site in NZ
By Andrew Warshaw
February 17 – Years after being plunged into scandal with a spate of high ranking officials banned for financial wrongdoing, the Oceania Football Association (OFC) has once again become embroiled in chaos and corruption.
Montagliani emphasises scale of Concacaf W Qualifiers as a ‘hugely important milestone’
February 17 – Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has hailed the kick off for the first Concacaf W Qualifiers as “a hugely important milestone for women’s football in our region”.
More goal chances and more ball in play: North and Western European leagues top ranking
February 17 – The professional leagues of Northern and Western Europe see teams playing more ‘openly’ that the leagues in South and East of the continent, according to data from the CIES Football Observatory.
Italy issues international arrest warrant for convicted rapist Robinho
February 17 – Italian authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for Robinho, the former Brazil star who was convicted of rape in Italy.
Benfica deny €1.9m was paid via third-party business to referee Bruno Paixão
February 16 – A former Portuguese referee is under investigation for allegedly receiving up to €1.9 million from Benfica which could, if proven, reportedly lead to the Lisbon club being sensationally relegated.
UEFA announces Socios.com deal but fan groups fear risks of unregulated crypto
February 16 – UEFA’s partnership with blockchain-based Fan Token platform Socios, announced yesterday, has quickly drawn criticism from fan groups who accuse the European governing body of leaving fans in the hands of “crypto-mercenaries”.
Haiti’s Cavaly pulls out of Concacaf Champions League after failure to obtain US visas
February 16 – Haitian club AS Cavaly has formally withdrawn from the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League after the club failed to obtain visas for the US.
UEFA land in Albania where politics and football have reached pre-election boiling point
February 16 – A UEFA delegation has arrived in Albania to evaluate the electoral process of the national federation before clubs vote on a new FA president next month amid concerns about political interference.
Major move: Monterrey to host summer’s inaugural Concacaf W Championship
By Paul Nicholson
February 15 – Concacaf is breaking the mould with its women’s competitions, not just in their structure and scale, but also in their venue. Monterrey, Mexico, will host the inaugural Concacaf W Championship that will be played July 4-18.
Brazil and Argentina to replay abandoned qualifier; Martinez, Lo Celso, Romero, Buendia banned
By Samindra Kunti
February 15 – FIFA have ordered Brazil and Argentina to replay their World Cup qualifier that was abandoned last September when Brazilian health officials stormed the pitch in Sao Paulo over alleged Covid-19 accusations by Argentinian visitors.