Head cases: English ref squares off with Ipswich player…called Judge
February 17 – Players squaring up angrily and just stopping short of a headbutt is nothing new in football but it rarely centres on the referee.
Match-fixing game changer: Sportradar makes fraud detection system free to leagues
By Paul Nicholson
February 16 – In what could be a game-changing move in the battle against match-fixing, Sportradar is to make its Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) available free of charge to sport organisations.
UCL resumes with Neymar-less PSG at Barca and Liverpool on a season rescue mission
February 16 – UEFA’s Champions League whirs back into life tonight with the heavyweight round-of-sixteen clash between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig hosting Liverpool in Budapest in one of a few fixtures where the home club had to relinquish the home advantage because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Former CAF exco member Ngaïssona pleads not guilty as war crime trial starts
February 16 – The former head of the Central African Republic football federation, Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona (pictured), has pleaded not guilty to war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Infantino puts record straight over Qatari handshake reports
February 16 – Gianni Infantino insists he was not the person responsible for instructing female referees not to greet a Qatari sheikh during last week’s Club World Cup medal ceremony.
Palmeiras coach demands CBF transparency on rumoured Caboclo/Infantino calendar deal
February 16 – CBF president Rogerio Caboclo has rejected renewed criticism from Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira over Brazil’s congested club calendar.
Argentine striking legend Leopold Luque dies, aged 71
February 16 – Leopoldo Luque, the instantly recognisable moustachioed striker who played a key role in Argentina’s first ever World Cup on home soil in 1978, died on Monday of a heart attack while he was receiving treatment for Covid-19, according to the hospital where he was being treated.
New Balance open up in Serie A taking AS Roma kit deal off Nike
February 16 – New Balance are to take over as AS Roma’s kit supplier from the start of the 2021/22 season, the first Serie A club to join the US leisurewear company’s team roster.
Lyon to face Brøndby, Chelsea draw Atletico as Women’s Champions League enters last 16
February 16 – UEFA has drawn the last-16 ties for its Women’s Champions League to be played 3/4 and 10/11 March.
Israel offers hosting options for Euro 2020 and UEFA’s club competitions
By Samindra Kunti
February 15 – Covid vaccination champions Israel have proposed to help out with staging Euro 2020 and the final stages of both the Champions League and the Europa League.
Yahya puts pro contracts and women’s development at top of his CAF presidential manifesto
February 15 – Mauritania’s hope for the top job in African football, Ahmed Yahya (pictured), says players must be better compensated and that national federations need to provide proper working contracts.
MLS shifts season start back as players given dates to return to clubs
February 15 – The new season of Major League Soccer (MLS) will kick off on April 17 instead of April 3, the league has announced.
Covid mutations: Spurs are latest to head to Budapest for ‘German’ away game
February 15 – Tottenham Hotspur have become the latest English Premier League club to have its next European game moved to a neutral country because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Mediapro returns to Concacaf fold with international sales deal
February 15 – The Mediapro Group have picked up the international rights to Concacaf’s club and national team competitions outside of the North America, Central America and the Caribbean region.
Myanmar’s Premier League fans march on British Embassy protesting military rule
February 15 – Legions of fans in Myanmar of English Premier League teams have joined forces to join the popular movement protesting the country’s recent military takeover.