Adidas pack their bags in Russia and drop RFU deal
March 2 – Adidas has suspended its long-term kit partnership with the Russian Football Union (RFU) that first began in 2008.
Former Liverpool defender Song takes over Cameroon for crucial Qatar 2022 play-offs
March 2 – Rigobert Song will succeed Toni Conceição as head coach of the Indomitable Lions, the Cameroonian sports ministry has announced.
UAE named as neutral venue for China and Syria’s final Qatar 2022 qualifiers
March 2 – The United Arab Emirates, which stepped up at the last minute to host FIFA’s Club World Cup last month, has been named by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as the neutral venue for last round of Qatar 2022 qualifying.
Doors close on Usmanov who stands down as FIE president
March 3 – Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, a former Arsenal shareholder and who is linked to Everton via sponsorships and its chairman Farhad Moshiri, has stepped down as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
Russia consider appealing FIFA ban at CAS
By Andrew Warshaw
March 1 – The blanket ban on Russia in FIFA and UEFA competitions may not end there, with reports emerging that the Russian Football Union may take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
World football forces FIFA into u-turn and a total ban on Russian teams
By Paul Nicholson
February 28 – Less than 24 hours after announcing a set of ‘soft’ sanctions against the Russian national team and the country’s clubs, FIFA and UEFA have bowed to overwhelming pressure from the football community, fans and media and suspended all teams from the country from participation in their competitions “until further notice”.
Abramovich to step back at Chelsea but ties to Putin still cloud his ownership position
By Samindra Kunti and Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – With pressure mounting over his ownership of Chelsea, billionaire Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has passed the stewardship of the club to the trustees of its charitable foundation in what appears to be merely a cosmetic move designed to save face and his investment.
Ukraine asked Abramovich to broker peace, claims advisor
March 1 – Chelsea’s billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich has been asked by Ukraine to help broker peace with his country according to the oligarch’s official spokesperson.
Sticky Toffee pudding – Usmanov sanctions threaten Everton finances
March 1 – The European Union (EU) has sanctioned Everton-linked and Fencing Federation (FIE) President Alisher Usmanov. He was on a list of Russian oligarchs that the block targeted as it imposed further sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Belgium’s Deinze KMSK focus commercials on a gamified crypto future
March 1 – Deinze KMSK and their owners ACA Football Partners have partnered with GameFi platform Digital Entertainment Asset (DEA), the Belgian second-division club announced.
UEFA ends Gazprom sponsorship with immediate effect
March 1 – UEFA has ended its 12-year sponsorship with Russian energy giant Gazprom with immediate effect. The announcement was made on the same day that UEFA banned Russian teams from its competitions.
FIFA keep Russia’s door to Qatar 2022 open, but Poles, Czechs and Swedes say sanctions are not enough
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – FIFA is refusing to kick Russia out of the World Cup despite finally imposing a string of sanctions in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
AFC approves major changes to season calendar and foreign player quotas
February 28 – The AFC has formally approved the transition from its current Spring-Autumn season to Autumn-Spring for its club competitions. The change will begin for the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup from the 2023-24 season, once the current 2022 competitions have been concluded.
England say they will refuse to play Russia; but Russian women still inbound for Euro 2022
February 28 – England has become the latest country to refuse to play international fixtures against Russia.
War and a Piece
By James Dostoyevsky
While FIFA offered up some lukewarm criticism of its best friend at the Kremlin – without naming the blatantly obvious, namely the criminal attack of Ukraine – its own Gianni, The Leader – proud recipient of the Putensian Russian Order of Friendship in May 2019 – seems to have some issues with reality. And with understanding criminal conduct.