New Canadian women’s pro league to be called Northern Super League, launching with 6 clubs
May 29 – Canada’s professional women’s league that debuts in April 2025 with six founding clubs will be called the Northern Super League.
AFC reforms competition structures with U17 Asian Cups going annual and U23s quadrennially
May 29 – With FIFA having changed the frequency of the men’s and women’s U17 World Cup to annual events, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has similarly had to rethink its competition structure in order to create qualifying competitions for the FIFA tournaments.
Frank Pauw wins election for Dutch FA presidency, taking over from Just Spee
May 29 – Frank Pauw has been elected the new chairman of the Dutch FA (KNVB), succeeding Just Spee. If elected, Jaenet Van Der Laan would have become the first female boss of Dutch football.
AFC rolls out VAR to all four new club comps for 2024/25 season
May 29 – The Asian Football Confederation is to roll out VAR across the whole of its new three-tier men’s club structure from the start of next season, as well as the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League.
Infront picks up Euro package of Bundesliga distribution rights
May 29 – Bundesliga International has appointed Infront to manage a package of international media rights in a four-year deal, starting with the 2025/26 season.
Unfriendly fire: Croatia’s NK Osijek sports director Jose Boto has car fired upon
May 29 – Jose Boto, sports director of Croatia’s NK Osijek, has had his car fired upon in Osijek. Fortunately, Boto was not in the car, at the time parked in a public parking lot.
Madrid court rules FIFA and UEFA Super League ban was ‘unjustified’
May 28 – FIFA and UEFA “abused their dominant position” and “prevented free competition” by opposing the creation of a breakaway European Super League, a Spanish court ruled Monday.
UEFA warns fans away from secondary ticketing markets as digital-only policy enforced
May 28 – UEFA has urged fans to refrain from purchasing tickets on the secondary market as they threaten to cancel tickets purchased from unauthorised third parties.
Al Ain beat Yokohama F. Marinos to win final AFC Champions League before format revamp
May 28 – Trailing 2-1 after the first leg in Yokohama two weeks ago, the UAE’s Al Ain turned the tables on the Yokohama F. Marinos in Abu Dhabi to win the AFC Champions League title for the second time.
Fiorentina return to Conference League final but face an in-form Olympiacos in Athens
May 28 – A week on from Atalanta lifting the Europa League trophy, fellow Italians Fiorentina will be looking for a European prize of their own as they line up the UEFA Conference League final in Athens on Wednesday night.
Frappart escorted to safety after Greek Cup final boils over
May 28 – History-making female referee Stephanie Frappart had to be escorted to safety by police after angry confrontations following the Greek Cup final.
Concacaf elects new Council members at Guadeloupe congress
May 27 – US Soccer Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone has been elected to the Concacaf Council at the confederation’s 39th Ordinary Congress in Guadeloupe.
Club Brugge grasp Belgian title leaving Union third time unlucky for third season
May 28 – Following a dramatic last day of the season and a late ruled-out goal by crosstown rivals Cercle Brugge in a 0-0 draw, Club Brugge won the Belgian league for the 19th time, pipping rivals Union and Anderlecht to the title.
UEFA signs AXA to Women’s Euro 2025 sponsorship roster
May 28 – UEFA has announced that AXA will join the Women’s EURO 2025 partnership roster as an official global partner as the tournament gears up for kick-off next summer.
Data report finds top women’s leagues increasingly looking for overseas talent
May 28 – Exporting and importing talent from around the world is a key indicator for growth in football, with leading Women’s football leagues increasingly turning to expatriates to strengthen both squads on the pitch, and help develop fan bases off it.