FIFA bans Venezuelan Manuel Alvarez for five years and fines him $1m
January 20 – FIFA has banned Manuel Álvarez, one-time general secretary of the Venezuelan FA, for five years for financial wrongdoing and fined him nearly $1 million.
South America
Kick It Out tackles Infantino over Argentine players’ racist chanting towards French African players
January 17 – Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out has written a powerful letter to FIFA boss Gianni Infantino asking what action, if any, was being taken over a video posted on social media by Chelsea’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez last year featuring an alleged “racist and transphobic” chant against French players.
Court rules bookmaker Esportes da Sorte’s five club sponsorship deals are legal
January 14 – Betting operator Esportes da Sorte will be allowed to maintain their presence in Brazil following a federal court injunction.
Botafogo land 3-year shirt sponsorship with VBET
January 14 – Brazilian giants Botafogo have announced a landmark partnership with online sports betting brand VBET as their new main shirt sponsor in a three-year agreement.
Chilean women’s team agrees new working conditions ahead of Copa America
January 13 – On the road to equality, the Chilean women’s national team have signed an agreement with the country’s FA (ANFP) to improve their working conditions.
Flamengo make staff changes but stick with José Boto and Filipe Luis to lead team
January 9 – New Flamengo coaching boss José Boto has said that he wants to end the hegemony of Portuguese coaches in Brazil, marking a different direction of travel at Rio’s biggest club under new president Luiz Eduardo Baptista.
Brazilian football politics intensitfy as Ronaldo lines up against Rodrigues for CBF presidency
January 3 – The Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) has dismissed its communications director Rodrigo Paiva because of his ties to Ronaldo.
Argentina FA adds BGH to sponsorship roster through 2026 World Cup
January 2 – The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced a new regional sponsorship agreement with air conditioning company BGH, marking another strategic partnership as the national team gears up for the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo plots to enter football politics with run at Brazilian FA presidency
December 18 – Brazil legend Ronaldo has confirmed that he wants to run for the presidency of the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) with a programme that will restore the prestige of the country’s game.
Conmebol adds Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying tournament to calendar
December 13 – Following in the footsteps of Europe, South America will stage a standalone qualifying tournament for the Women’s World Cup, the region’s governing body Conmebol confirmed on Thursday.
Flamengo release designs for planned new 80,000 capacity stadium
December 12 – Last month, Brazilian Serie A club Flamengo took a major step towards realising a dream decades in the making. Club officials met with representatives from the city of Rio de Janeiro at Flamengo’s Gávea headquarters to sign an agreement that will pave the way for the construction of a state-of-the-art, almost 80,000-seat stadium in the Gasômetro area, with visuals of the project made available this week for the first time.
Argentine FA bans one ref and suspends six others as match-fixing probe deepens
December 11 – The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has banned referee Matías Beares following his involvement in match-fixing.
Nike renew Brazil kit contract to 2038 with $100m+ annual deal
December 10 – In 1996 the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) and Nike teamed up for a partnership worth a reported $35 million per year. On Friday a new deal was announced, and times have changed!
River Plate brings in facial recognition technology for Estadio Mâs Monumental entry
December 10 – Argentinian giants River Plate have announced the introduction of facial recognition technology at their iconic Estadio Mâs Monumental, enabling fans to ‘enjoy quick, secure, and ticketless access’.
A big week: Botafogo add Brazilian Serie A title to Copa Libertadores win
December 9 – Completing a league-and-Libertadores double on Sunday, Brazilian club Botafogo clinched their first national title since 1995 with a 2-1 victory against Sao Paulo.