FIFA bans Chad after government attempts FA takeover
April 9 – Having banned Pakistan earlier this week for third party interference in the national federation’s affairs, FIFA have also kicked out Chad because of government interference.
SuperSport signs up for Qatar 2022 coverage. CAF events next?
April 9 – African football may be struggling to secure meaningful broadcast deals with their domestic broadcasters, but their masters at FIFA have secured a key deal for the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar.
Autograph-hunting linesman banned despite donating his signed cards to autism charity
April 9 – The Romanian linesman who asked Europe’s most sought-after young player, Erling Haaland, to sign his red and yellow cards has reportedly been banned form officiating in his country’s top tier.
Spezia renew Acerbis kit deal for 2 years as they secure Serie A place
April 9 – Serie A’s Spezia Calcio, currently in their first season in Italy’s top flight, have renewed their kit deal with Acerbis for a further two years, taking them to the the end of the 2022-2023 Season.
Euro 2020 hosting: Dublin and Bilbao look doubtful but Glasgow gives fan guarantee
By Samindra Kunti
April 8 – UEFA’s deadline for host cities to confirm minimum guarantees over fan attendance and seating capacities at this summer’s Euro 2020 lapsed yesterday (Wednesday), with Dublin and Bilbao now expected to drop out from staging any matches.
Police fire tear gas and beat delegates at Al Merrikh general meeting in Sudan
By Paul Nicholson
April 8 – Sudanese football has witnessed more administrative chaos in the battle for control with state Emergency Police having been called to break up the general assembly of the leading Almerrikh club.
Saints renew bitcoin betting firm Sportsbet.io for record three year shirt deal
April 8 – Premier League Southampton have secured shirt sponsor Sportsbet.io for a further three years in what the club is describing as the biggest sponsorship in the club’s history.
Ajax offer fans season ticket refunds
April 8 – Ajax Amsterdam will offer season ticket holders a full or partial refund for the matches they have missed out on this season, the Dutch club has announced.
With Dutch set for online betting NOC calls in Sportradar to boost match-fixing protection
April 8 – With the Dutch on the cusp of legalising online sports betting in the country, the Netherlands Olympic Committee*Dutch Sports Federation (NOC*NSF) has moved to increase protection against match-fixing via a new deal with Sportradar Integrity Services.
Maracana to keep name unchanged after Rio flirts with Pele tribute
April 8 – Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium won’t be renamed after Pele following a decision by state legislators. The proposal for a name change had been mired in controversy.
Premier League, Serie A and Bundesliga score poorly on competitive balance ranking
April 8 – The Premier League prides itself that any team could beat any other on any given day. It is a boast made by a number of other top European leagues. According to a new set of stats, the competitive balance in the big European leagues isn’t as balanced as they pretend.
Brand Spain: Santander renews LaLiga title sponsorship for further two years
April 8 – Banco Santander has renewed its title sponsorship of LaLiga for a further two years, with the option to extend for a further year until 2023-24.
US fund ORG takes control of Ipswich Town with ambition to return club to former glory
April 8 – American investors have bought another English club, but rather than expanding US ownership presence in the Premier League investment fund ORG has plumped for Ipswich Town who have not been in the Premier League since 2002. The deal is said to be worth about £40 million.
FIFA suspends Pakistan until ‘hostile takeover’ of PFF HQ is ended
By Andrew Warshaw
April 7 – Not for the first time, Pakistan football has been plunged into disarray after the country was handed an international ban by FIFA for ‘third-party interference’ following a coup by former leaders of the national federation (PFF).
AEK owner Melissanidis faces life ban and points deduction for club
By Paul Nicholson
April 7 – Controversial AEK Athens owner Dimitris Melissanidis has again hit the headlines in Greece where he could be facing a life ban from football.