CAF clears Hayatou ruling FIFA ban was based on ‘insufficient evidence’
February 7 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has overturned FIFA’s one-year ban of former Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou.
IOC members turn angrily on absent Infantino over biennial World Cup proposal
February 4 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its members have attacked FIFA’s plans for a biennial World Cup, saying that global finals every two years would cause ‘immeasurable damage’ to global sport.
Egypt beat AFCON hosts Cameroon to set up Senegal final
February 4 – Egypt eliminated hosts Cameroon from the Africa Cup of Nations with Egyptian goalkeeper Gabaski saving two penalties in the spot-kick shootout to set up a final against Senegal.
UEFA report shows the resilience of Europe’s club game and green shoots after the harshest of winters
By Paul Nicholson
February 4 – UEFA’s annual club licensing report just released, is it most impressive yet, leaving almost no stone unturned in its review and overview of the health of the club game in Europe.
Women’s Asian Cup: China beat Japan in shoot-out to set up South Korea final
February 4 – China and South Korea will face each other in Sunday’s final of the Asian Women’s Cup after they beat Japan and the Philippines on an evening of high drama in India.
Comment: Hal Robson-Kanu tells FIFA it must listen to players
Former Wales striker Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu, who now runs the nutritional drinks company, The Turmeric Co., urges FIFA to ditch its biennial World Cup plans and to work with purpose-driven brands to grow the sport’s commercial appeal organically.
Ukraine vs Russia, the real battle for European supremacy
February 4 – Ukraine and Russia play each other (today) in a historic futsal semi-final at the European championship against a backdrop of heightened political tension over the threat of renewed conflict between the nations.
Liverpool opens small business horizons with Vista deal
February 4 – Premier League Liverpool FC have signed a multi-year agreement with Vista who become the club’s Official Small Business Design & Marketing partner.
Concacaf sets June start for second Nations League
February 4 – Concacaf will kick off their 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League, its second edition, in June 2022 with the finals scheduled for the summer of 2023.
Arsenal scores Extramarks as regional sponsor
February 4 – Digital learning solutions provider Extramarks has become a regional partner of Arsenal in India, South Africa, Indonesia, and the Middle East.
Agent group says FIFA consultations on new rules are ‘fake’
By Paul Nicholson
February 3 – FIFA’s consultation process over its proposed football agent regulations has been called a “pantomime”, “fake” and a distortion “of the reality of a process which is far away from being genuine or robust”.
Mystery investor pledges $800m for breakaway Brazilian league
February 3 – Brazilian clubs have received an offer of 4.2 billion reias ($800 million) from an unnamed investor to form a breakaway league that would not be under the management of the Brazilian FA (CBF).
People power: EC registers ‘Citizens’ Initiative’ calling for law to protect European sports model
February 3 – The European Commission has registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Win It On The Pitch’, which, if it gains enough public support, will force the EC to consider the proposal aimed at protecting the European sports model.
Qatar 2022: Jimenez goal gives Mexico breathing space, Canada and US win
February 3 – Mexico returned to winning World Cup qualification ways with a crucial 1-0 win over their nearest rival Panama for an automatic spot at Qatar 2022.
Vivo dial in LaLiga for Spanish network expansion
February 3 – Chinese technology company Vivo has signed a two-year deal to become LaLiga first smartphone partner.