DFL readies tender for international rights sell off to private equity investors
February 25 – The German Football League (DFL) is to invite investment bids for a minority stake in its overseas media rights business, according Bloomberg.
World Football
Clarke and Howe favourites for Celtic hot seat vacated by Lennon
February 25 – Scotland national manager Scotland manager Steve Clarke and former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe are reported to have emerged as early favourites to replace Neil Lennon, who resigned on Tuesday as Celtic manager after a disastrous season in charge.
Anouma challenges Infantino’s conspicuous absence with invite to Ivory Coast
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – The role of Gianni Infantino in whoever gets over the line to land the top job in African football appears to be gaining more significance by the week.
Calendar clash forces Australia and Qatar out of guesting at Copa America
February 24 – Australia and Qatar, the two non-South American teams due to take part in this year’s Copa America, have pulled out of the competition – the oldest in international football – because of scheduling conflicts caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus: Travel restrictions and safety issues force UEFA to cancel U19 championships
February 24 – UEFA has cancelled the 2021 Women’s and Men’s Under-19 Championships because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lennon walks away from Celtic as Rangers run away with title
February 24 – Celtic manager Neil Lennon has resigned with the Glasgow giants 18 points behind arch-rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership table.
Dominican Republic and Curacao to host centralised Caribbean club competitions
February 24 – The Caribbean’s top regional club competition, the 2021 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship, will be centralised in the Dominican Republic, May 14-26 and, while the region’s Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield (CCCS) will be played in Curacao, April 23 and May 2.
Real Madrid caught in alleged tax evasion scheme over on-line commercial rights
February 23 – Real Madrid have become embroiled in a new potential tax evasion scandal following unconfirmed reports that it allegedly tried to keep part of the proceeds from the sale of a commercial rights with the help of two companies, possibly fictitious, based in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands.
Infantino pledges support to rebuild Sudan’s football culture
February 23 – Gianni Infantino’s African roadshow landed in Sudan on Monday, where the FIFA boss pledged more support for the north African country.
Gravina returned as FIGC boss as Italy plans to host Euro 2020 kick-off, with fans
February 23 – Gabriele Gravina was re-elected as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Monday and will now lead the federation until 2024, having amassed 73.45% of the votes.
Ivory Coast backs Anouma’s bid for CAF presidency with reported €15m
February 22 – Ivorian authorities are stepping up their financial support for Jacques Anouma (pictured) in his bid to become the next Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief by pledging a staggering €15.3 million for his campaign to take over from Ahmad Ahmad, according to local reports.
Infantino keeps up the pace and politics as he criss-crosses Africa
By Samindra Kunti
February 22 – On his pan-African tour, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, addressing the general assembly of the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA), in South Africa, called on African teams to step up and leave a mark on the 2026 World Cup, the first global finals to be staged in a 48-team format.
UK government scotches report it has offered to host Euro2020
February 22 – Britain’ health secretary Matt Hancock has shot down a newspaper report which suggested the UK may be ready to host next summer’s delayed Euro 2020.
Mali and RB Salzburg pair crash after altitude sickness pills land then with a doping ban
February 22 – Two Mali players with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg have been handed three-month doping suspensions.
US women have trial date on gender discrimination case pushed back to June
February 22 – The trial date for the gender discrimination lawsuit brought by US women players against the US Soccer Federation has been pushed back from May 5 to June 16.