First phase ticket sales for Qatar 2022 top 800,000, says FIFA
March 31 – FIFA has said that 804,186 tickets have been sold during first sales phase for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Adidas gets the Qatar 2022 ball rolling
March 31 – You know the tournament is getting closer when it is time to launch the official ball. FIFA sponsor Adidas has unveiled the new ball for Qatar 2022, named Al Rihla.
Man Utd roadshow gets back on the road with Miami as first stop
March 31 – After a three-year hiatus Manchester United are taking their fan engagement event back on the road with Miami, Florida, as the first stop on April 16.
Moshiri’s struggling Everton post third consecutive £100m-plus loss
By David Owen
March 30 – Everton, the Merseyside club in danger of losing its English top-flight status for the first time since the 1950s, has posted its third consecutive loss in excess of £100 million.
Egypt and Nigeria out as Mane penalty and away goals send Senegal and Ghana to Qatar
March 30 – Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco and Tunisia all booked their places at the World Cup finals Tuesday on a frantic night of final African play-off action.
Iraq fall at last hurdle as UAE and Aussie qualify for play-off
March 30 – Iraqi dreams of progressing to the Qatar 2022 play-offs were shattered in the final round of Asian World Cup qualifying as they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Syria.
Poland stun Swedes as Portugal ease past North Macedonia to Qatar 2022 berths
March 30 – Portugal and Poland booked their places at the World Cup finals on Tuesday night as the dreams of highly fancied Sweden and rank outsiders North Macedonia ended on what should have been the final European playoff games.
AFC sets up elite club football Task Force to take Champions League to next level
March 30 – The Asian Football Confederation has established an Elite Club Competition Task Force to examine ways it can improve its Champions League as the region returns to full play following the covid pandemic.
Qatar migrant workers back in spotlight as unions issue human rights warning
March 30 – The world players union FIFPRO and the Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI) have penned a joint open letter cautioning that human rights issues surrounding the World Cup in Qatar are far from resolved but acknowledging that considerable progress has been made by the authorities.
Pacific Media Group adds Kaiserslautern taking portfolio to seven European clubs
March 30 – Pacific Media Group (PMG) have acquired a stake of just under 10% in FC Kaiserslautern, the German club have announced.
Messi signs with Socios.com to promote Fan Tokens
March 30 – Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi has agreed a three-year deal to promote digital fan token company Socios.com. Reports say Messi will earn $20 million from the endorsement.
LaLiga hails new FFP proposals as a historic moment for European football’s sustainability
March 30 – LaLiga has described the proposed UEFA financial fair play rules that will go before UEFA’s executive committee on April 7 as a “major step forward for European football”.
LaLiga teams with Casillas’ SportBoost to match players to tech startups
March 30 – LaLiga has combined with SportBoost to create opportunities for athletes and ex-athletes by connecting them technology startups.
ECA leader says Russian football must not be allowed to return before Ukraine’s
By Andrew Warshaw
March 29 – A senior executive at the European Club Association (ECA), the body that represents more than 200 clubs across the Continent, says there is no way Russia can be allowed to resume playing competitive matches before Ukraine does.
New UEFA deal has made ECA stronger than any Super League would, says Al-Khelaifi
March 29 – Almost exactly a year after the collapse of the European Super League idea, the head of the European Club Association says his organisation has never been stronger, largely thanks to its collaboration with UEFA.