German fans protest plans to sell off ‘ownership’ stakes to private equity
February 12 – Fans groups in Germany stepped up their protests at the weekend against the league’s plans to sell a stake of revenue to an outside investor.
UEFA and Adidas get Champions League final ball rolling
February 12 – UEFA and Adidas have unveiled the design for the 2023/24 Champions League final match ball.
With just one point in 2024, Molenbeek fire Brazilian boss Claudio Caçapa
February 12 – Following a string of disappointing results, RWD Molenbeek have dismissed their Brazilian manager Claudio Caçapa with Igor de Camargo stepping in on an interim basis.
Afif’s penalty hattrick drives Qatar to 3-1 win over battling Jordan and retention of Asian Cup title
By Paul Nicholson in Lusail Stadium
February 10 – Qatar retained their Asian Cup title with an Akram Afif hattrick of penalties in front of 86,465 mainly Qatari fans in the Lusail Stadium.
Foley builds Las Vegas soccer community links with Bournemouth hook-up
February 10 – AFC Bournemouth owner Bill Foley, who is building a portfolio of club ownerships worldwide, has stayed closer to home and focussed on community with his latest club involvement.
UEFA says there is no appetite to ban Israel from competition
February 9 – UEFA has no intention of throwing Israel out of international competition despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza that has killed an estimated 25,000 people – almost half of them reportedly children – and left thousands more homeless.
UEFA doubles women’s exco slots, Ceferin suggests media should look at their own gender bias
By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 – Aleksander Ceferin’s surprise announcement not to stand for re-election for the UEFA presidency in 2027 overshadowed other key business on the agenda of UEFA’s Congress in Paris.
Denmark and Sweden drop neighbours to combine for 2029 Women’s Euro bid
February 2 – Nordic neighbours Denmark and Sweden have declared their intention to bid for the 2029 Women’s Euro, leaving their regional partner Norway out in the cold.
IFAB set to trial ‘blue’ cards in England
February 9 – Football may witness a transformative change as the International Football Association Board (IFAB) contemplates the introduction of blue cards, which could be trialled in England as soon as next season’s FA Cup.
England adapt to life in second tier of Nations League, Scots look to future in top flight
February 9 – England were drawn with the Republic of Ireland in Group B2 of the Nations League with Finland and Greece completing the group. Elsewhere, Italy and France meet in League A.
James Dostoyevsky: The King says he’s going soon. Let the run for his clothes begin
The 48th UEFA Congress in Paris on February 8 turned truly interesting after it was over.
Brotherly love kissed goodbye as Qatar and Jordan line-up for Asian Cup final
February 9 – Qatar coach Marquez Lopez wants his team to cast Arab affinity to one side for 90 minutes as the defending champions and tournament hosts look to see off the Asian Cup’s surprise package Jordan on Saturday to retain the continental title.
Barca chase Zenit for unpaid €490K Malcom bonus
February 9 – Barcelona are taking Zenit St. Petersburg to sport’s highest court in pursuit of a €490,000 bonus payment it says it missed out on when the Russian club was banned from the Champions League following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Messi and Suarez get on the pitch in Japan, further infuriating Hong Kong and questioning the Miami business case
February 9 – After a sensational opening to the Lionel Messi American dream, which soured as 2023 came to a close, the beginning of 2024 has brought forth even more challenges, underscoring the precariousness for both the league and Inter Miami as they pin their performance hopes and business ambition on the Argentinian superstar.
Cardiff make deal with Sala agent Willie McKay
February 9 – Cardiff City have reached an out-of-court settlement with an agent over the release of documents and messages about the transfer of the late Emiliano Sala.