NWSL expansion could hit 32 teams, say commissioner Berman
April 9 – Jessica Berman, National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) commissioner, speaking at the SheBelieves Summit, said that the US women’s league could expand to 32 teams.
Brazil mourns loss of goalkeeping legend Manga, aged 87
April 9 – Manga, one of Brazil’s goalkeepers at the 1966 World Cup, has died at the age of 87 following a battle with prostate cancer.
Keeping it local. Centreville Bank takes naming rights to Rhode Island FC’s new stadium
April 9 – Rhode Island FC, who debuted in the US’s second tier USL Championship in 2024, will open their second season in their new stadium with a new corporate partner, Centreville Bank, who have bought the stadium naming rights.
CR7 empire expands with flagships store and museum in Hong Kong
April 8 – Cristiano Ronaldo’s off-pitch brand continues to expand with the launch of the first CR7 LIFE flagship store and museum in Hong Kong, marking the footballer’s most ambitious commercial move in Asia to date.
Northern Super League pens landmark ESPN deal
April 8 – The Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league, will make its debut on U.S. screens this month through a landmark multi-year media partnership with ESPN, significantly expanding its international reach ahead of its inaugural season.
UEFA releases tickets for men’s and women’s club competition finals
April 8 – UEFA has officially opened ticket sales for its 2025 men’s and women’s club competition finals, offering fans across the globe the chance to attend European football’s biggest nights.
In line with its ongoing ‘Fans First’ initiative, UEFA is once again putting supporters at the heart of the allocation process. The majority of tickets for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League finals will go to fans of the finalist clubs and the general public.
Southampton sack Ivan Juric following club’s English Premier League relegation
April 8 – Southampton have sacked manager Ivan Juric just 107 days into his tenure as the club fights to avoid going down in history as the English Premier League’s (EPL worst outfit.
Court dismisses A-Cap’s calls to halt Genoa takeover by Dan Sucu
April 8 – The Court of Genoa has dismissed an attempt by A-Cap, creditor of 777 Partners which owned Serie A outfit Genoa before collapsing, to halt a takeover of the club by Romanian businessman Dan Sucu.
SK Brann claim legal victory over ‘UEFA Mafia’ banners at CAS
April 8 – Norwegian club SK Brann have claimed a legal victory after the highest court in sports ruled that UEFA should not have punished the club for fans singing ‘UEFA mafia’ or displaying banners with the same message at Women’s Champions League games.
Bulgaria’s Svetkavitsa Targovishte fail to pay players for fourth straight month
April 8 – Bulgarian Third Division club Svetkavitsa Targovishte have announced that the team’s players have not received salaries for the past four months.
Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang injects $25million into U.S. Soccer
April 8 – Pioneering businesswoman, investor, philanthropist, and the biggest financial supporter of women’s football in the United States, Michele Kang, has given the sport another massive boost, injecting $25 million into U.S. Soccer.
Brentford’s Thomas Frank takes aim at “ridiculous” FIFA Club World Cup
April 8 – Criticism for this summer’s expanded FIFA Club World Cup competition in the United States continues to be expressed by managers and players across global football, with Brentford FC boss Thomas Frank the latest to articulate his opinion.
West Ham plan fan engagement strategy ahead of EPL Summer Series
April 8 – With just over 100 hundred days until the start of the English Premier League’s (EPL) Summer Series in the United States, one of the four participating teams, West Ham United, are planning ahead to engage local fans on their arrival.
LaLiga appeals Olmo and Víctor ruling saying it violates FFP principles of equality
April 8 – LaLiga is not backing away from the fight with Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) and FC Barcelona over the contested registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.
AFC kicks off its first Empowering Women in Football educational programme
April 8 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched the inaugural iteration of its Empowering Women in Football Programme (AEWFP).