Philippines, North Korea and Yemen complete 24-team 2019 Asian Cup line-up
March 28 – Next year’s AFC Asian Cup line-up has finally been confirmed after qualifying for Asia’s premier event drew to a close on Tuesday.
Buoyant Bournemouth paid £3.8 million for development site
By David Owen
March 27 – AFC Bournemouth, the Russian-controlled south coast minnows getting used to life in the Premier League under their bright young manager Eddie Howe, more than quadrupled pre-tax profits to £14.6 million in the period to 30 June 2017.
Brazil salve 7-1 memory with win in Germany, who have Euro 2024 on their minds
By Samindra Kunti in Berlin
March 28 – Brazil defeated Germany 1-0 at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Tuesday in a morale-boosting and symbolic win in the first meeting between the two sides after the 7-1 World Cup semi-final in 2014. The German FA also used the high-profile friendly to promote its bid for Euro 2024.
UEFA opens door for winter transfers to play in Champions League, Agnelli wants ‘rest’ stops
March 28 – Champions League players who move in the January transfer window will be allowed to compete for their new club in the competition during the same season under new rules announced by UEFA .
Palestinian clubs pressure Adidas over Israeli FA sponsorship
March 28 – More than 130 Palestinian football clubs and sports associations have called on German sportswear manufacturer Adidas to end its sponsorship of the Israel Football Association (IFA) over the thorny issue of Israeli league clubs based in settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Austria’s Play Fair Code and Sportradar expand intelligence links in war on match manipulation
March 28 – Austria’s Play Fair Code (PFC) has strengthened ties with Sportradar’s integrity group via a memorandum of understanding that will increase information exchange and focus on education and prevention of corruption in sport – particularly with regard to matchfixing.
Morocco 2026 chief El Amrani makes case for compactness, diversity and affordability
By Andrew Warshaw in Marrakesh
March 27 – There’s no doubting Hicham El Amrani’s passion and self-belief. Or that the CEO of Morocco’s 2026 World Cup bid is extremely well connected.
New Cold War threatens to spill over into World Cup
By Mark Baber
March 27 – Concerns the fall-out from the Skripal poisoning affair could spill over into the World Cup increased on Monday as Iceland announced its leaders would follow the UK’s lead in boycotting the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Marinakis cleared by Greek Supreme Court
By Paul Nicholson
March 27 – Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evanglos Marinakis has had all charges against him dismissed by the Greek Supreme Court, the highest court in the country.
Barca and Spurs players head Big 5 rankings as season’s silverware hunt closes
March 27 – Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur are the only European clubs that have a player in each of the seven categories of a ranking of top performing players over the past three months.
West Brom to hit £40m profit but disastrous spending still leaves club needing an overdraft
March 27 – With West Brom set to announce a predicted year end financial return of about £40 million in profit, the club’s chief executive Mark Jenkins has said that the finances are actually in a poor state and that the club is going to need an overdraft facility, its first for 1o years.
Lionel Nessie makes debut for Inverness
By David Owen
March 27 – Hats off to Scottish second-tier club Inverness Caledonian Thistle for what must be the classiest intervention of the season in the often dubious field of football club mascots.
UEFA boosts intelligence data for war on matchfixing with ESSA deal
March 27 – UEFA has boosted its armoury in the war on matchfixing with an information-sharing agreement with sports betting integrity body ESSA.
US to host 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship with eyes on France 2019
March 27 – The US will host the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, to be played October 4-17. Venue for the 8-team championship have still to be decided.
Croatian Bruno Boban dies after being struck by ball in league match
March 27 – Third tier Croatian footballer Bruno Boban collapsed and died after being hit in the chest by the ball during a match.