Coronavirus: UEFA puts all club competitions on hold
March 13 – In an unprecedented move, UEFA has suspended its entire club competition programme next week as a result of the coronavirus.
US Soccer president Cordeiro resigns in the aftermath of women’s criticism
March 13 – US Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro has resigned following the furious criticism of the language used in its legal filing in the suit brought against it by its women’s team.
MLS calls 30-day shutdown; Conacaf suspend Champions League; all USSF games off
By Paul Nicholson
March 13 – On Wednesday MLS games in Seattle and San Jose were postponed. A day later Major League Soccer had followed in the wake of the NBA and suspended all games, effective immediately, for 30 days, as it continues to assess the impact of the coronavirus.
LaLiga suspended for two rounds as Real Madrid squad quarantined
March 12 – La Liga in Spain has been suspended for “at least the next two rounds of matches” as a result of the Real Madrid squad going into quarantine because of the coronavirus.
Cordeiro promises ‘respect’ but ‘lesser’ claim throws fuel on flames of WNT discrimination case
March 12 – US Soccer has apologised after a backlash against statements in court documents this week that players on the men’s national team possess greater skill and have more demanding jobs than their female counterparts. The federation is also feeling the heat from sponsors.
UEFA’s big nations block proposal to spread power balance
By Andrew Warshaw
March 12 – A proposal to give smaller European nations more of a say in key decisions affecting the running of the game has failed to materialise following the intervention of Germany, UEFA’s biggest individual federation.
Conmebol asks for suspension of 2020 qualifiers over fear players will be stuck in Europe
March 12 – South American governing body Conmebol has called on FIFA to postpone this month’s World Cup qualifiers on the continent due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Niersbach makes it to Swiss court for 2006 World Cup fraud trial
March 12 – Former DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach (pictured) has made a surprise court appearance at the 2006 World Cup tax fraud trial – despite the advice of his doctor not to attend.
FIFA push Addis Ababa congress back from June to September
March 12 – The effects of Covid-19 have gone all the way up to the administration of world football with FIFA taking the unprecedented step of calling off its 211-nation congress that had been due to take place Addis Ababa on June 5.
Europa League: UEFA cancel Getafe trip to Inter; Seville tie off as Roma grounded
March 12 – After telling UEFA they wouldn’t travel, Getafe have now persuaded European football’s governing body to call off tonight’s Europa League tie against Inter Milan as the coronavirus begins to bite into UEFA’s club competitions – something it was hoped could be avoided by playing games behind closed doors.
Juventus in lockdown after Rugani tests positive for coronavirus
March 12 – Juventus’ Italian international defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for coronavirus, the first top-flight player to be infected as the outbreak continues to spread.
Atletico Madrid end Liverpool’s Champions League defence in extra time
March 12 – Holders Liverpool crashed out of the Champions league on Wednesday with manager Jurgen Klopp accusing opponents Atletico Madrid of using negative tactics.
Hazard and Kane drop in value, Mbappe worth €70m more than Salah, Man Utd show value
March 12 – KPMG Football Benchmark have updated player market value estimates. Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar head the list of players with the likely highest transfer price tags, while Inter Milan and Argentina striker Lautaro Martínez has increased his value more than any other player since November.
Coronavirus: First impact in US as MSL and USL clubs on West coast postpone matches
March 12 – The first professional football casualty of the Coronavirus has been recorded in the US both MLS and USL clubs reacting swiftly to local authority advisories and seasons barely a game old.
Rabbatt’s Women’s Sports Group tasked with increasing WSL and England media value
March 11 – The English FA has with former FA director Heather Rabbatts’ Women’s Sports Group on the distribution of all UK media rights for the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.