Ecuador women’s team staff fired over sex pest accusations
April 23 – The coach of Ecuador’s women’s team, Luis Pescarolo, as well as a physical trainer and a doctor, have been sacked following complaints of sexual harassment.
Joint Korean bid evaporates as South decide to go solo for 2023 hosting rights
April 23 – It always seemed an unlikely, if ground-breaking, prospect, both from a sporting and political standpoint. And now it appears to have reached the end of the road with South Korea’s FA (KFA) dropping neighbours North Korea from possible co-hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup, apparently due to lack of proper coordination.
AFCON U-17: Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon and Angola qualify for Brazil World Cup
April 23 – Guinea have completed Africa’s line up at the U-17 World Cup after reaching the semi-finals of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania. Earlier Nigeria, Cameroon and Angola had secured their berth at the finals in Brazil.
MLS to go to 30 teams with Sacramento and St Louis on pole to make the £200m buy-in
By Paul Nicholson
April 23 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced it will now expand to 30 teams rather than sticking at 28 as had previously been the plan. It also announced that the franchise fee for teams 28 and 29 will now be $200 million.
Sigurdsson sale not enough to prevent dive into loss for relegated Swansea
By David Owen
April 22 – Swansea City have reported a pre-tax loss of £3.2 million for the year to 31 July 2018, the club’s relegation season.
Newcastle repay £33m of debt to owner Ashley
By David Owen
April 19 – Newcastle United, the north-east club seemingly assured now of retaining its place in the Premier League for at least one more season, has repaid £33 million of the debt owed to owner Mike Ashley (pictured).
African social media comment turns up pressure on Ahmad as document details charges
By Paul Nicholson
April 18 – The pressure on CAF president Ahmad Ahmad is not relenting as social media networks in Africa and increasingly worldwide are sharing a document that purports to be part of the complaint sent to FIFA Ethics on Ahmad’s conduct.
Cape Verde’s Semedo says CAF payments to personal account are legal, annual and not corrupt
April 18 – One of the African countries caught up in the scandal over the activities of CAF president Ahmad Ahmad has denied reports that its boss received personal payments authorised by Ahmad.
Delaney debacle casts shadow over Britain and Ireland 2030 World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
April 18 – A joint British and Irish bid to stage the 2030 World Cup has been handed a potential setback following the demise of former Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive John Delaney.
Juve are out but Italian battle for Champions League rights is on
April 18 – Mediaset are on the verge of wrestling the free-to-air rights for the Champions League from Italian state broadcaster RAI in a two-year deal with Sky Italia.
Valencia sell land to enable new Mestalla build to restart
April 18 – Spanish club Valencia will restart their efforts to complete the construction of their new stadium after they accepted a $128 million offer for the Mestalla stadium plot from local co-operative ADU Mediterráneo.
Champions League drama, VAR controversy and away goals rule sends Spurs into semis
By Andrew Warshaw
April 18 – For the second night running, the Champions League threw up the most extraordinary of stories as underdogs Tottenham Hotspur, without their injured talisman Harry Kane, went through to the semi-finals in remarkable circumstances against the might of big-spending Manchester City after one of the most stirring, nerve-wracking ties in the history of club football.
France 2019 World Cup ticket sales top 700,000
April 18 – With just 50 days to go until the kick off the Women’s World Cup in France, new ticket sales records are being set with more than 720,000 tickets sold.
CAF continue cover-up as Ahmad cleans house and FIFA remains silent
By Andrew Warshaw
April 17 – Almost a full week after the second most powerful official in African football was sacked from his post, paying the price for corruption allegations swirling around his boss, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has finally acknowledged the change in a brief statement – but without any mention of the circumstances involved.
North and South Koreas still on course for joint 2023 Women’s World Cup bid
April 17 – A potential landmark joint bid from North and South Korea for the 2023 Women’s World Cup remains very much in the race