FIFAgate: FIFA bans former Peruvian boss Burga for second time for bribery
April 4 – FIFA’s Ethics Committee has handed for Peruvian FA president Manuel Burga (pictured) a life ban from all football-related activity for a second time.
Liverpool and Chelsea condemn Hillsborough chants at Stamford Bridge
April 5 – Liverpool have hit out once again at the “vile chants” about the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium disaster, the latest culprits being Chelsea fans during Tuesday’s 0-0 Premier League draw.
Eight game ban for Fulham’s Mitrovic for pushing ref
April 5 – Fulham’s Serbian international striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been handed an eight-game ban by the English Football Association for grabbing the referee in the FA Cup quarterfinals against Manchester United last month.
NWSL awards 14th franchise to Sixth Street backed Bay Area team
April 5 – The top tier National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US has awarded an expansion franchise to an investment group who will set up an as yet unnamed team in the Bay Area in Northern California.
Belgian tax collectors chase non-profit Genk for €39m
April 5 – Belgian tax authorities are chasing €39 million from league leaders Racing Genk, arguing that the club’s legal status as a non-profit does not exempt it from paying corporation tax.
Levski Sofia fans donate to help with €5.5m tax bill, as club launches share offer
April 5 – Supporters of Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia have raised over BGN 243,000 (€121,000) to help the club in pay off its debts to the National Revenue Agency (NRA).
Reading plunged into relegation battle after points deducted for breach of EFL’s financial rules
April 5 – EFL Championship side Reading have been handed an immediate six-point deduction for breaking agreed budget restrictions after a previous breach of the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules.
Swiss beat off Nordic, French and Polish bids to win Women’s Euro 2025 hosting
By Samindra Kunti in Lisbon
April 4 – In a bidding race that went down to the wire, Switzerland won the right to host Euro 2025 after seeing off the combined bid from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland as well as hosting hopefuls France and Poland.
Troublesome youth. FIFA strips Peru of U-17 World Cup hosting for second time
April 4 – Peru has been stripped of the hosting of the U-17 World Cup for the second time by FIFA who said there was not enough time to “secure the required investment and complete the necessary work” with the Peruvian government.
Barca demand Tebas resigns over false evidence reportedly provided to Spanish police
April 4 – Barcelona have made another request for outspoken Spanish league president Javier Tebas (pictured) to resign because of his attacks on the club.
James Dostoyevsky: Gone potty
So, the genius who doesn’t have much of a clue about football, other than watching soccer in his native USA, but decided to put a few associates together and buy Chelsea FC, has really stirred the pot now.
Libya detains two Marumo Gallants officials over unpaid hotel bill
April 4 – Two South African club officials held in Libya for more than two weeks over unpaid bills will not be allowed to travel home until the debt is settled.
‘Last man standing’ – Klopp says he has only kept his job based on past performance
April 4 – Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp has bemoaned the rate at which Premier League managers are losing their jobs and says he’s only still at his club because of past successes.
UEFA’s FAs gather in Lisbon for congress that will challenge gender bias
By Samindra Kunti in Lisbon
April 4 – Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness can write history by becoming the first female member of the UEFA executive committee to be elected in a direct contest against male candidates at UEFA’s annual Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday.
Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris launches three-club academy project
April 4 – Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris has announced a three-club partnership with Portugal’s Vitória Sport Clube and Egypt’s Zed FC. Vitoria is part-owned by Sawiris through his Eden Sports business while Zed FC is owned by his brother Naguib.