AFDP Global doubles up in Jordan with launch of Azraq project
February 27 – AFDP Global is doubling the number of its projects supporting refugees living in Jordanian camps.
Zimbabwe face playing at neutral venues after CAF investigators condemn stadia
February 27 – Zimbabwe has been barred by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from hosting any international matches until further notice after its main stadiums failed to meet required standards, throwing an upcoming African Nations Cup fixture and home World Cup qualifiers later in the year into jeopardy.
Bayern and Google partner in Germany, but deal detail under wraps
February 27 – For a partnership between two of the biggest companies and football clubs on the planet, details of the new deal between Bayern Munich and Google are pretty thin.
Hungary’s Honved isolate coach Sannino after Italian coronavirus contact
February 27 – Spare a thought for Italian coach Giuseppe Sannino who has done nothing wrong on the pitch but has been temporarily stood down by his team, Honved of Hungary, because of his nationality given the effect of the coronavirus in his homeland.
UEFA and Greek government agree initiative to clean up Greek football corruption
February 26 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (pictured left) has signed an agreement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (pictured right) aimed at cleaning up Greek football, which for years has been marred by corruption, match-fixing, attacks on referees and crowd trouble.
Sports bodies on alert as Covid-19 spread in Italy hits Serie A and international schedules
February 26 – European governing body UEFA has said it is monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus closely, but potential consequences for Euro 2020 remain unclear.
Man Utd debt rises to £391.3m, revenues drop 19.3% but on course for £155m+ profit
February 26 – The headlines from the release of Manchester United’s second quarter financials are that the club’s net debt has increased by £73.6 million to £391.3 million, and that total revenues have dropped by 19.3% to £168.4 million.
Man City lodge formal appeal against UEFA ban at CAS
February 26 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed it has received Manchester City’s appeal against UEFA’s two-season European ban and €30 million fine.
Egyptian derby abandoned as no-show Zamalek hand win to arch rivals Al Ahly
February 26 – Egypt’s top-flight club Zamalek face strong sanctions after failing to show up for their hotly anticipated Cairo derby against Al Ahly, causing the game to be abandoned.
Stadium repairs to force Rwanda to pull out of CAF Champions League final hosting
By Osasu Obayiuwana
February 26 – Repairs being done to the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali will knock out Rwanda from staging May’s CAF Champions’ League final.
Osasu Obayiuwana: CAF’s failure to pay officials opens body up to new integrity threats
With just days to the start of the knockout stages of the CAF Champions’ League and the Confederation Cup, with eight very tough quarter-final matches in both competitions, the quality of officiating from the referees, as well as the pre-game preparations of CAF’s match co-ordinators, and their support staff, will be key in ensuring that the matches go without incident.
AFC give life bans to two Laos players for match-fixing
February 26 – Two Laos internationals have been handed life bans for alleged match-fixing by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Uruguay’s Valdez handed year ban by FIFA Ethics
February 26 – Despite efforts to shake off its tarnished image, Conmebol has been rocked by yet more scandal after its former FIFA Council member Wilmar Valdez (pictured) was banned for one year for breaking his duty of loyalty.
Concussion sub protocol proves a headache for lawmakers
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – Proposals to introduce concussion substitutes in English football next season seem likely to be shelved after experts failed to agree on the best approach.
FIFA turns to private equity for CWC funding and hope it will Raine $$$
By Samindra Kunti
February 25 – Billions, billions and more billions. That seems to be a core part of Gianni Infantino’s modus operandi as supremo at FIFA. His latest trawl for cash has seen the world federation acquire the services of American financial firm Raine Group to seek the $1 billion the organisation will need to kick-start a revamped 24-team Club World Cup in 2021.