Botafogo close in on Braga’s Artur Jorge
April 2 – Portuguese manager Artur Jorge has confirmed he will move from Braga to Botafogo to lead the Rio club in the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores this season.
World Football
World Leagues goes from Forum to Association as it rebrands and toughens-up its advocacy
April 2 – The World Leagues Forum is rebranding, changing its name and reworking its graphic identity under the new banner of the World Leagues Association.
Bosnia’s top ref refuses to take charge of Sarajevo derby after family threatened
April 2 – Bosnian referee Irfan Peljto, who is on his country’s international list, has refused to officiate matches in the Bosnia and Herzegovina league following threats against him and his family.
Steph Houghton to retire at end of season
March 28 – Manchester City legend and former England captain Steph Houghton has announced her retirement at the end of the current season.
E-commerce platform AliExpress joins Euro 2024 partner roster
March 28 – Online retail marketplace AliExpress, part of China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, has been unveiled as an official partner of Euro 2024.
Ukraine, Poland and Georgia grab final group slots for Euro 2024
March 27 – Ukraine came from behind to beat Iceland and in two nerve-shredding penalty shootouts Poland beat Wales away from home and Georgia edged Greece to qualify for a first ever major finals as an independent nation on a dramatic night of European action on Tuesday.
England flagging, Germany find form, Brazil put on the style as Argentina on cruise control
March 27 – As the international break draws to a close and players return to club football for the business end of the season, national sides tested the waters across a host of international friendlies that could send shockwaves across the next FIFA World Rankings update in April.
Kenyan FA on brink of suspension after court orders postponement of AGM
March 27 – FIFA have threatened the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) with suspension after a local court postponed the federation’s annual general meeting.
Napoli pull out of ‘token’ anti-racism initiatives after InterMilan’s Acerbi cleared of racial abuse
March 27 – Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has been cleared of a charge of racially insulting Napoli’s Juan Jesus in a Serie A game because there wasn’t enough proof, an Italian football league judge has ruled.
MLS refs to return to work this weekend with new 7-year pay deal
March 27 – Major League Soccer referees will return to work this weekend after ratifying a new collective bargaining agreement that ends a 37-day dispute which saw replacement referees in place to start the season.
Milan Mandaric returns to the boardroom with Serbia’s Vojvodina Novi Sad
March 27 – Serbian-American businessman Milan Mandaric has been appointed vice president of the Serbian Vojvodina Novi Sad. The 85-year-old billionaire was elected to the post unanimously by the Vojvodina General Assembly of Vojvodina on Tuesday.
Brazil’s Rodriques calls on law enforcers to criminalise racist abuse and for clubs and leagues to step up
By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – The head of Brazilian football says fans should face criminal charges for the appalling racist abuse meted out to Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr in Spain.
Mexican FA refuses to condemn ‘p***’ chant, instead thanking fans for their support
March 26 – The Mexican football federation (FMF) stopped short of condemning its fans for their discriminatory ‘p***’ chant that rang out at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday at the USA vs Mexico Nations League final.
Euro 2024 qualifiers reach final stage to decide last three teams for Germany
March 26 – The final Euro 2024 qualification matches are played this evening, as six teams vie for three spots at Europe’s premier competition in Germany this Summer.
Flamengo’s Gabigol to appeal 2-year ban for attempted anti-doping fraud
March 26 – Flamengo star Gabriel Barbosa Almeida ‘Gabigol’ has been suspended for two years by a Brazilian sports court for attempted anti-doping fraud.