Concacaf powers up sponsorship with multi-year Aramco deal
February 19 – On the eve of the W Gold Cup kick off, Concacaf has agreed to a multi-year partnership with global energy and chemicals company Aramco.
World Football
Cypriot police find pyrotechnics hidden in stadium pre-match
February 19 – Police in the Cypriot city of Larnaca seized a large number of fireworks and pyrotechnics before the start of the local league match between AEK Larnaca and Anorthosis on Saturday.
Ceren hattrick sees El Salvador beat Guatemala and head into group stages
February 18 – El Salvador bumped past Guatemala 3-1 with a hattrick by Brenda Ceren to secure the last slot in Group C of the W Gold Cup.
Martinez heroics as Puerto Rico stun Haiti to take Group B slot
February 18 – Puerto Rico stunned Haiti with a 1-0 win to take them through to the group stages of the W Gold Cup and matches against Brazil, Colombia and Panama beginning next week in San Diego.
Dominican Republic secure W Gold Cup group slot with Guyana play-off win
February 17 – Dominican Republic beat Guyana 1-0 at Dignity Health Park in Carson, California, in the first tie of the W Gold Cup preliminary rounds. to qualify for the group stages of the W Gold Cup, and an opening match against the USA.
Group of European MEPs call on FIFA and UEFA to ban Israel from football
February 16 – A group of Members of the European Parliament has written to FIFA and UEFA demanding Israel be banned from international football over the ongoing war in Gaza.
W Gold Cup kicks off Saturday with triple header group play-in at Dignity Health Park, LA
February 16 – The inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup kicks off tomorrow in Carson, Los Angeles, with a triple header play-in for the final three slots in the groups stage that kicks off next Tuesday (February 20), also at the Dignity Health Sports Park.
Arsenal’s women to set WSL attendance record with Emirates Stadium sell-out
February 16 – The Emirates is poised for the largest crowd in Barclays Women’s Super League history after selling out for Arsenal’s match versus Manchester United on Saturday.
Serbian FA grants €500k to new firm to fix new stadium failures
February 16 – The Football Federation of Serbia (FFS) has granted €500,000 to a newly created stadium management business FFS Stadioni doo Beograd, to be used for the repair and maintenance of the three newest stadiums in Serbia – in Leskovac, Zaječar and Loznica.
New Zealand women stride towards Paris 2024 with Fiji win, Solomon Islands next
February 16 – The New Zealand Ferns are one match away from clinching a ticket for the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament in Paris after they eliminated Fiji to set up an OFC qualifying final against the Solomon Islands.
Russia football finds a new friend in Paraguay
February 15 – Russia is hosting host Paraguay in a friendly next month in what would be its first men’s national team game against a South American opponent since the invasion of Ukraine.
European club football is booming, growing at more than €1bn a year, finds UEFA report
February 15 – Top tier clubs in Europe have recorded aggregate revenue of just under €24 billion for the 2022 financial year, with projections that revenue will grown beyond €26 million in 2024.
Greek club Volos and president Achilles Beos face criminal charges over ‘monkey’ racism
February 15 – A racist scandal has rocked Greek football with the Greek prosecutor’s office bringing charges against the president of FC Volos, Achilles Beos (pictured), and the club, following Beos’ racist behavior during the Greek Super League match against Kifisia FC, which ended in a goalless draw.
Upamecano racially abused after Bayern lose again, this time in UCL
February 15 – Bayern Munich have condemned racist insults directed at France defender Dayot Upamecano on social media after their 1-0 Champions League defeat at Lazio on Wednesday.