Steph Houghton to retire at end of season
March 28 – Manchester City legend and former England captain Steph Houghton has announced her retirement at the end of the current season.
Europe
E-commerce platform AliExpress joins Euro 2024 partner roster
March 28 – Online retail marketplace AliExpress, part of China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, has been unveiled as an official partner of Euro 2024.
Ukraine, Poland and Georgia grab final group slots for Euro 2024
March 27 – Ukraine came from behind to beat Iceland and in two nerve-shredding penalty shootouts Poland beat Wales away from home and Georgia edged Greece to qualify for a first ever major finals as an independent nation on a dramatic night of European action on Tuesday.
England flagging, Germany find form, Brazil put on the style as Argentina on cruise control
March 27 – As the international break draws to a close and players return to club football for the business end of the season, national sides tested the waters across a host of international friendlies that could send shockwaves across the next FIFA World Rankings update in April.
Napoli pull out of ‘token’ anti-racism initiatives after InterMilan’s Acerbi cleared of racial abuse
March 27 – Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has been cleared of a charge of racially insulting Napoli’s Juan Jesus in a Serie A game because there wasn’t enough proof, an Italian football league judge has ruled.
Milan Mandaric returns to the boardroom with Serbia’s Vojvodina Novi Sad
March 27 – Serbian-American businessman Milan Mandaric has been appointed vice president of the Serbian Vojvodina Novi Sad. The 85-year-old billionaire was elected to the post unanimously by the Vojvodina General Assembly of Vojvodina on Tuesday.
Euro 2024 qualifiers reach final stage to decide last three teams for Germany
March 26 – The final Euro 2024 qualification matches are played this evening, as six teams vie for three spots at Europe’s premier competition in Germany this Summer.
Germany to increase border checks for Euro 2024 to keep ‘violent criminals’ out
March 26 – Germany will carry out border controls at all its frontiers during this summer’s European Championship in June and July.
Turkish FA signs 4-year retail deal with 11teamsports Group
March 26 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has signed an exclusive four-year retail partnership with 11teamsports Group.
Traumatised Liverpool fan group wins UEFA compensation for 2022 UCL final chaos
March 25 – A group of Liverpool fans have been awarded compensation by UEFA after claiming they were injured or left with psychological trauma in chaotic scenes at the 2022 Champions League final.
Russia calls off Paraguay friendly after terrorist attack on concert hall
March 25 – Russia has called off its friendly against Paraguay scheduled for Moscow today due to the fatal terrorist attack outside the capital.
Euro 2024 play-offs reach boiling point with final three eliminators set for Summer slots
March 22 – In the battle for the last three slots at this summer’s European Championship, Iceland have eliminated Israel from the Euro 2024 playoffs to set up a showdown with Ukraine. Wales take on Poland in the Path A playoff final after brushing past Estonia 5-1.
WSL drives attendances for Women’s Football Weekend with CGI takeover of English landmarks
March 21 – The Women’s Super League is promoting its Women’s Football Weekend (March 23-24) through a series of visual takeovers of famous English landmarks.
Botev request for foreign refs for Bulgarian Cup semi-final denied
March 21 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has rejected the request from Botev Plovdiv to appoint foreign referees for their upcoming Bulgarian Cup semi-final matches against CSKA Sofia, to be played over two legs.
CSKA and Botev Plovdiv met in a league game last weekend, which Sofia won 4:0. After the match, Botev Plovdiv were critical of the refereeing.
A Botev statement said: “PFK Botev acknowledges its own mistakes that led to the unpleasant 4:0 loss,
Westerlo fire Rik de Mil over ‘convenient’ draw with Racing Genk
March 20 – Belgium club Westerlo have dismissed their manager Rik De Mil with immediate effect after widespread criticism over his team’s convenient draw with Racing Genk on the last day of the regular season.