Real Madrid launch VR channel on The Dream VR app platform
February 28 – Spanish giant Real Madrid has launched its own 360° and virtual reality channel in The Dream VR app that has more than 2 million downloads in over 180 countries.
NASL cancels 2018 season but continues with law suits against USSF
February 28 – The North American Soccer League (NASL) has cancelled its 2018 season with three of its six clubs shifting to the National Premier Soccer League which kicks off this April.
English edge towards staggered Winter Break, but with FA Cup set to be compromised
February 28 – The prospect of a winter break in top-flight English football, which has been discussed and debated for years with public opinion split, appears to be edging closer.
Has Neymar’s fractured metatarsal shattered PSG’s Champions League dreams?
February 28 – The world’s most expensive player has suffered a damaging injury at the worst possible time. Neymar’s fractured metatarsal and sprained ankle is expected to keep him out of action for at least six weeks meaning he will miss Paris St Germain’s all-important upcoming Champions League last-16 second leg tie against Real Madrid.
Rummenigge backs VAR saying it has improved German refereeing
February 28 – He may have successfully campaigned for the European Club Association, which he headed for nine years, to have a voice on UEFA’s decision-making executive committee but Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is annoyed at the decision not to use video assistance in next year’s Champions League.
Barcelona are first club to enter eSports team in Konami’s PES league
February 28 – The new eSports league being launched by video game maker Konami and Spanish-based eFootball.Pro have signed Barcelona as their first professional team to the league which will be played on the Pro-Evolution Soccer (PES) game.
Inter expand international academy network with Beirut launch
February 28 – Internazionale have opened their eighth academy outside of Italy, the latest being in Beirut, Lebanon. Inter is working in partnership with Water Resources LTD Company and Sportomondo on the project in Lebanon.
Verizon grow North American OTT content with CONCACAF deal
February 28 – CONCACAF, who on Monday announced an expansion of their blue riband Gold Cup national team tournament, have followed up with the unveiling of a multi-platform digital media rights deal with Verizon for all its competitions.
Tackling Matchfixing: Just 10 days left to register for conference
February 27 – There are just 10 days left to register for the Tackling Matchfixing conference, March 9/10, at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel, London.
UEFA boost Euro 2020 prize money to €371m, winner will take €34m
By Andrew Warshaw
The 24 qualifiers for the one-off pan-Continental European Championship in 2020 will share record total prize money of €371 million, €70 million up on last time, with each of the finalists receiving a minimum of €9.25 million.
Forget Neymar and Messi, Eden Hazard tops European club dribblers
February 27 – Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is the world’s leading dribbler of the ball so far this season, topping Neymar and Lionel Messi in an analysis of Europe’s Big 5 league players.
Infantino sticks by VAR decision and maintains pressure for 2018 World Cup debut
By Andrew Warshaw
February 27 – Gianni Infantino says he has had no second thoughts about using video assistant referees (VAR) at the World Cup despite a string of controversial incidents that have called into question how effective the system is.
Spurs seek away games start to 2018/19 season as stadium debut pushed back to September
February 27 – Tottenham Hotspur’s eagerly awaited 61,000-capacity, state-of-the-art new stadium may not quite be ready in time for the start of next season according to English media reports.
UEFA charge Atalanta for fans’ racist chants at Batshuayi
February 27 – Atalanta have officially been charged by UEFA after their fans aimed monkey chants at Borussia Dortmund’s on-loan forward Michy Batshuayi during their recent Europa League clash.
They don’t like Mondays. Dortmund’s yellow wall cracks over TV match scheduling
February 27 – German fans have staged more protests about top-flight matches being staged on Monday nights when some 25,000 Borussia Dortmund supporters stayed away from this week’s fixture against Augsburg.