LaLiga opens up China for its clubs with centralised social media service
February 21 – Spanish clubs are pushing deeper into China via an expanded social media presence with the help if LaLiiga.
Putin and Infantino meet in Moscow for 2018 legacy love-in
February 21 – In a transparent exercise in mutual back-slapping Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Gianni Infantino to help ensure last year’s World Cup has a long-term legacy which isn’t always the case with World Cup hosts.
Scottish clubs red card local refs demanding infusion of higher quality officials
February 21 – Scottish football officials are considering bringing in English or even overseas referees to put a stop to some of the atrocious decision-making this season according to unconfirmed reports.
Marriot adds Man Utd ‘experiences’ for relaunched rewards programme
February 21 – Hotel group Marriott International has rebranded its Rewards programme and relaunched it with the help of a Manchester United partnership to its 120 million members.
Concacaf reject Cordeiro’s comments saying future of Gold Cup is not in doubt
By Samindra Kunti
February 20 – Concacaf has reacted swiftly to reject comments made by U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro that the future of the regional confederation’s Gold Cup was in in doubt.
RFEF moots plans for a new Super Cup format to be played outside Spain
By Andrew Warshaw
February 20 – Efforts to play a Spanish league game overseas to promote the brand may have failed but the Spanish Super Cup, a different competition, looks set to do exactly that under a new revamped format of four teams, with semi-finals and final.
FIFA kicks-off bid process for Women’s World Cup 2023 hosting
By Andrew Warshaw
February 20 – FIFA are reverting to the old behind-closed-doors rules to decide on the hosts of the Women’s World Cup in 2023.
Mbappe, Donarumma, Sessegnon and Sancho make case for youth in an old man’s game
February 20 – Data looking at how much playing time young players born 1988 and later are getting in Europe’s top leagues show very are getting experience in the Big 5 and the France and Spain providing the most opportunity for development.
Man City owners CFG complete Chinese club buy alongside CSC and UBTECH
By Paul Nicholson
February 20 – City Football Group (CFG) has confirmed the seventh edition to its stable of football clubs with a position in the ownership group of Sichuan Jiuniu FC in China.
Who pays the ferryman? Cardiff and Nantes row over Sala transfer money
February 20 – The fallout from the tragic death of £15m Cardiff City striker Emilio Sala in an air accident over the English Channel is becoming distinctly undignified in terms of relations between Cardiff and selling club Nantes.
Bayern fans protest ticket price ‘gr€€d’ at Anfield. Liverpool fans agr€€
February 20 – Bayern Munich fans protested against the cost of Champions League tickets by unfurling banners during the first leg of their last-16 tie at Liverpool on Tuesday – backed by home supporters.
Italy’s Rai suspend ‘primitive’ male TV football presenter for sexist comment
February 20 – Italian football icon Fulvio Collovati has been suspended for three weeks by state broadcaster Rai for making sexist remarks on air.
European leagues, clubs and UEFA slam Infantino’s $25bn ‘secret’ sell-off
By Andrew Warshaw
February 19 – European football stakeholders have aimed their strongest broadside to date at Gianni Infantino’s contentious $25 billion blueprint to change the landscape of global competitions.
US boss Cordeiro says Confed Cup is finished and Gold Cup could be next
By Samindra Kunti
February 19 – U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro (pictured) has questioned the future of the Concacaf Gold Cup, revealing the tournament may be shuttered in the near future. Speaking at the annual U.S. Soccer general meeting, Cordeiro said that the FIFA Confederations Cup won’t be played again and that the biennial Gold Cup also could be discontinued.
Stung by increased costs, Pozzo’s high-flying Hornets post £30m loss
By David Owen
February 19 – Watford, the Premier League club based in London’s commuter-belt and controlled by Gino Pozzo, has fallen into loss due to higher costs and a markedly smaller gain on player sales.