Morocco debate rolling the World Cup bidding dice again for 2030
February 8 – Morocco is rumoured to be considering a bid for the 2030 World Cup – the sixth time the country would have attempted to land football’s showpiece tournament.
TEAM retains global rights to UEFA’s Champions League but US media goes to Relevent
February 8 – TEAM Marketing has retained the rights to the UEFA men’s Champions League for the rights cycle 2024-27, but has ceded media sales rights to Relevent Sports Group in the US.
IFAB to take another look at VAR
February 8 – World football’s lawmakers will once again discuss changes to the offside law at their annual meeting next month, being conducted virtually.
Nike terminate Greenwood deal
February 8 – Nike have terminated their endorsement of Manchester United and England striker Mason Greenwood, the sportswear firm has announced, citing “deep concerns” following his arrest on suspicion of rape and assault.
JLab plugs into Man City Women and NYCFC for US and UK push
February 8 – The advantage of having a large sales portfolio of big and champion (or near champion clubs) means you can slice and dice your inventory.
Rooney fronts up to past pressures in TV doc
February 8 – Retired former England captain Wayne Rooney has opened up about his problems with alcohol in a much-publicised upcoming documentary.
British and Irish FAs dump World Cup 2030 bid in favour of a run at hosting Euro 2028
By Paul Nicholson
February 7 – The combined British and Irish bid to host the World Cup in 2030 has been officially shelved with the five FAs instead saying they will focus on a bid to host the Euro 2028 championships.
More African Super League talk as Motsepe says it will be FIFA run and privately funded
By Samindra Kunti
February 7 – On the sidelines of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) convened a meeting with FA presidents, club chairmen and FIFA president Gianni Infantino to discuss plans for the creation of an African Super League, but the governing body again was able to give little detail on the project.
Mane and Senegal have last word over Salah and Egypt to win AFCON
By Samindra Kunti
February 7 – Senegal won their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations despite Sadio Mane missing a penalty in the first minutes of the final. He later atoned for the miss delivering the winning spot-kick in a 4-2 shootout victory to wrap up a tournament that was overshadowed by the loss of eights lives at the last-16 tie involving hosts Cameroon.
China fight back from 2 goals down to beat South Korea and claim 9th AFC title
February 7 – China stunned South Korea to come back from two goals down at half time to win the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 3-2 in a classic final in Mumbai yesterday.
Pulisic, Antonio and Davies headline Concacaf player of year nominees
February 7 – West Ham and Jamaica’s Michail Antonio will face off against Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic (US) and Bayern Munich’s Alfonso Davies (Canada), in the vote for the Concacaf player of the year.
Overmars apologises but quits Ajax after series of inappropriate messages
February 7 – Marc Overmars has quit Ajax as sporting director over inappropriate messages, the Amsterdam club announced on Sunday.
AFC starts hunt for merchandising and licensing partner
February 7 – The AFC has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for AFC the Asian Cup China 2023 Licensing & Merchandising Programme.
Vietnam beat Chinese Taipei to qualify for first Women’s World Cup
February 7 – Vietnam beat Chinese Taipei 2-1 in their playoff tie in India on Sunday to qualify for their first ever Women’s World Cup finals Australia/New Zealand 2023.
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.