De Maria to step down at Mexican federation, de Luisa to step up
March 5 – Mexico’s football federation (FMF) president Decio de Maria (pictured) has resigned and will leave his post after the 2018 World Cup. Yon de Luisa will take his place.
Rainbow flags, holding hands, kissing in public – no problem for Russia says Smertin
By Samindra Kunti in Zurich
March 5 – Russia 2018 anti-discrimination chief Alexey Smertin has reiterated that LGBT fans will be welcome at the World Cup this summer. Rainbow flags will be allowed to fly at stadiums during the tournament.
Burnley deny £180m takeover rumour, but wouldn’t say no to the cash
March 5 – Premier League Burnley have denied that they are the subject of a £180 million takeover attempt by competing American and Middle Eastern investors. But a club statement said that they are always open to investment.
Kanouté calls for Africa to be treated equally and for resource to help develop itself
By Samindra Kunti in Zurich
March 5 – Former Tottenham, West Ham United and Sevilla striker Frederick Kanouté has called for a level playing field in football by developing local African leagues.
IFAB passes new rule to all 4th sub in extra time
March 5 – After a detailed study and a two-year experiment, football’s lawmakers have officially approved the use of a fourth substitute being used in extra time, starting with the World Cup.
AFC streaming platforms hits 18.9m views across 122 countries
March 5 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) now has 28 of its member associations using its streaming platform that debuted in July 2016 in Bhutan.
FIFA rulemakers fast forward Video Refs to Russia 2018 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
March 4 – So now it’s official. No turning back. But are there still more questions than answers? As anticipated, video assistant referees are set to be used at this year’s World Cup in Russia after football’s lawmakers, the International FA Board (IFAB), voted to roll out the technology when they met at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Saturday.
Leicester break Premier League records with £92.5m profit
By David Owen
March 3 – The full business benefits of Leicester City’s surprise charge to the Premier League title a couple of seasons ago have finally emerged, with the Midlands club announcing a towering pre-tax profit of £92.5 million for the year to 31 May 2017.
Greek court hands down multiple prison sentence in Koriopolis matchfixing case
By Mark Baber
March 2 – The three-member Court of Appeal in Athens has punished 58 people for their roles in the Greek ‘Koriopolis’ match-fixing scandal in 2011, including the handing down of a large number of prison sentences.
Infantino opens FIFA’s Equality and Inclusion conference opens with call to action
By Samindra Kunti in Zurich
March 2 – Gianni Infantino kicked off FIFA’s 4th Conference for Equality and Inclusion with a strong message and call to action to attendees. Although not on the agenda, the ban of women in Iranian football stadiums, in force ever since 1979, provided a subtext to his address.
Liverpool bounce out of the red with £39m profit
By David Owen
March 2 – Liverpool have become the latest Premier League club to report strong 2016-17 profits. The Merseysiders, one of four sides vying for the runners-up spot in this season’s Premier League behind Manchester City, posted an after-tax result of £39 million for the year to 31 May 2017 – a £60 million swing from the prior season’s loss of £21 million.
FIFA rule-makers gather for game changing decision on VAR and 2018 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
March 2 – Imagine the scene. It’s the opening game of the World Cup in Russia and the anticipation is at fever pitch in the stadium with billions more eagerly watching on television.
Iranian women arrested at Tehran derby. Infantino says he has promises this will stop
By Samindra Kunti
March 2 – Iran detained 34 women who tried to attend the Tehran derby between Esteqlal and Persepolis on Thursday. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also in attendance, along with Iranian Sports Minister Masour Soltanifar.
Nottingham Forest record club sponsorship with Macron
March 2 – English Championship club Nottingham Forest, anxious and ambitious for a return to the Premier League, have announced the “biggest sponsorship agreement in the club’s history” with Italy-based sportswear company Macron.
Blatter says World Cup should not be used as an ‘experiment’ for VAR
March 2 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has appealed to football’s lawmakers not to give the green light to video assistant referees being allowed at the World Cup in Russia this summer.