Cosafa Cup under threat after Zimbabwe pull out of hosting Afcon warm-up event
April 1 – This year’s Cosafa Cup is in danger of being scrapped after the Southern African regional body accused Zimbabwe of reneging on an agreement to host.
Espanyol target China with Wu Lei signing and soccer school expansion
April 1 – Espanyol Barcelona have signed a strategic partnership with Chinese football school San Gao FC, expanding their operations in China. Atletico Madrid and the DFL also have plans to tap into the Chinese market.
Platini still critical of VAR, but Cardiff wouldn’t agree after Chelsea loss
April 1 – Former UEFA president Michel Platini, who always resisted extending goalline technology to other forms of scientific aids for referees, has once again waded into the debate over the video assistant refereeing system, partly blaming the media for its implementation.
Mexico to host Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship; winners set for Paraguay World Cup
April 1 – Puerto Vallerta in Mexico will be the venue for the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, scheduled to take place May 13-19.
Bullingham steps up at English FA to tale lead role
April 1 – The English Football Association has named internal candidate Mark Bullingham as the successor to outgoing Chief Executive Martin Glenn who is stepping down at the end of the season after four years in charge.
Montagliani returned for new term as Concacaf finds its happy place
By Paul Nicholson in Las Vegas
March 29 – Canadian Victor Montagliani has won a second term as president of the North and Central American and Caribbean confederation Concacaf. The congress in Las Vegas, US, also saw Sonia Fulford given another four-year term as Concacaf’s women’s rep on the FIFA Council.
Rubiales to give opening address at Sports Law at the Crossroads forum
March 29 – Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish federation (RFEF), will give the opening address at Sports Law at the Crossroads conference in Madrid, May 10-11.
US boss Cordeiro says door to Conmebol for 2020 is still open but sales windows are closing fast
By Paul Nicholson in Las Vegas
March 29 – US Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro says the invitation to Conmebol’s 10 federations to play in the US in a 16-team tournament in 2020 is still open, despite Conmebol saying it will host the 2020 edition of the Copa America in Argentina and Colombia.
Nations League draw marks a key change in gear for Concacaf’s competition calendar
By Paul Nicholson in Las Vegas
March 29 – The draw for the inaugural Concacaf Nations League has taken place in Las Vegas, US, preceding the governing bodies annual congress with all 41 member federations set to participate in an official regional tournament for the first time.
Bournemouth’s Cherries sink into red by £10m
By David Owen
March 29 – The financial strain inherent in maintaining a highly competitive Premier League squad while based in a tiny stadium appears to have started to show at AFC Bournemouth.
Qatar’s Al Mohannadi withdraws to leave Salman with clear run to AFC presidency
March 29 – Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa will govern Asian football for another four years after his final challenger for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) presidency, Qatar’s Saoud Al Mohannadi, withdrew his candidacy.
Connection lost: Saints boss Hasenhuttl bans wifi to protect video gaming players
March 29 – An English Premier League manager has banned its players using wi-fi at team hotels to prevent them from playing “addictive” video games.
UEFA serve FAI with new investigation over tennis ball protest
March 29 – UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against the Republic of Ireland as a result of a protest from supporters which briefly interrupted last Tuesday night’s game against Georgia.
FIFA’s Garcia Silvero joins line-up for transfer rules debate at Sports Law at the Crossroads forum
March 28 – FIFA’s chief legal officer Emilio Garcia Silvero and former CAS Deputy General Secretary William Sternheimer have joined the speaker line-up for the Sports Law at the Crossroads conference in Madrid, May 10-11.
UEFA’s youth tournaments attract bid from 17 countries to host
March 28 – Seventeen counties have expressed their interest in staging one of UEFA’s youth tournaments in 2021 and 2022. They must submit their bid dossiers by June 28.