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.
Tite says Qatar 2022 will be his final bow
February 28 – Brazil coach Tite will step down after the 2022 World Cup, bringing to an end a 7.5-year reign irrespective of the five-time world champions’ result in Qatar.
Cazoo adds Valencia as online car seller gears up for Spanish launch
February 28 – Online car retailer Cazoo has ramped up its football sponsorship in Spain with a deal to become main partner and shirt sponsor of Valencia the start of next season.
Turkish league leaders Trabzonspor plan two NFT drops with Capital Block
February 28 – Turkish Super Lig leaders Trabzonspor has agreed with NFT consultancy Capital Block to advise on an initial two NFT ‘drops’. Capital Block also works with Galatasaray.
UEFA switch Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – As widely anticipated, UEFA have stripped St Petersburg of hosting this season’s Champions League final and switched their annual showpiece fixture to the Stade de France in Paris as a result of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Infantino sits on fence over his old pal Putin
February 25 – Choosing his words carefully, FIFA president Gianni Infantino failed to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, instead saying his organisation was “very worried” about the escalating crisis.
Schalke 04 drop Gazprom from shirt sponsorship
February 25 – German club Schalke 04 have removed Gazprom logo from the main shirt sponsorship position after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
CBF ends any chance of Caboclo return with extension of his ban
February 25 – Rogerio Caboclo’s time at the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) has come to a definite end following a new 20-month suspension which will prevent him from returning to his role before the end of his mandate in April 2023.