World champions Argentina cement status as men’s top team in FIFA rankings
April 3 – Argentina have strengthened their position at the top of the latest FIFA men’s world rankings after picking up 18 points in the last international window.
Hilton becomes Official Hotel Partner of England’s national teams
April 3 – The English Football Association (FA) has announced a three-year partnership with Hilton, making the global brand the Official Hotel Partner of England’s national teams.
Colombia’s Envigado boasts most local players in world football
April 3 – Colombian side Envigado FC has been named the most locally–anchored club in world football, according to the latest CIES Football Observatory ranking.
UEFA president calls for unity in ‘increasingly divided world’
April 3 – Using the metaphor of a symphony, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin (pictured) delivered a message of unity at his confederation’s Congress in Belgrade on Thursday.
UEFA links with Beyond Hospitality to sell UCL final packages until 2027
April 3 – UEFA has appointed Beyond Hospitality to create, market, and sell official travel and hospitality packages for the next three UEFA Champions League finals, starting with the 2025 showcase in Munich. The agreement also covers the 2026 event in Budapest, with the 2027 host venue yet to be confirmed.
Infantino wants Russia back in international game after peace deal
April 3 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino (pictured) has called on Russia to be allowed to return to the international game if a peace deal can be worked out with Ukraine.
Germany calls for extradition of former Bulgarian footballer Dani Ayman Kiki
April 3 – The German government has requested the extradition of former Bulgarian footballer Dani Ayman Kiki (pictured) on suspicion of participating in a kidnapping and racketeering scheme.
NWSL-AT&T sponsorship deal ‘invests in future of women’s sports’
April 3 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) continues to go from strength to strength, announcing a multi-year sponsorship deal with communications giant AT&T.
Leicester facing relegation and possible PSR charge after more losses
April 3 – Another Premier League defeat followed further grim financial news to leave Leicester City contemplating relegation and a possible profit and sustainability rules (PSR) charge.
Ancelotti tells Madrid court he thought ‘everything was in order’ on his taxes
April 3 – Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti (pictured), who is standing trial for tax evasion in the Spanish capital, told its Provincial Court on Wednesday that he “never thought about committing fraud.”
Barca allegedly fiddled the FFP books to get Olmo and Victor registered
April 3 – The saga over the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor and their eligibility to play for Barcelona in the second half of the season has resurfaced, with LaLiga saying that the club don’t have the financial headroom required to meet the squad cost limits under its financial fair play (FFP) regulations.
UEFA Congress set to elect new cohort of Exco and FIFA Council reps
April 2 – Top of the agenda at the UEFA Congress in Belgrade, Serbia, will be the elections for UEFA’s executive committee. There will also be a vote on European representatives on the FIFA Council, with five members, including at least one female, to elected.
Chelsea offload Women’s team to Boehly and Clearlake’s Blueco, turning £90.2m loss into a £128.4m profit
April 2 – Premier League Chelsea have turned a £90.1 million pre-tax loss in 2022-23 into a £128.4 million profit 2023-24, mainly by selling core assets to its owners.
Conmebol brings in new 8 second rule for its club competitions
April 2 – Conmebol has introduced a major rule change for the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, becoming the first confederation to cap the time goalkeepers can hold on to the ball at eight seconds. If keepers exceed the limit, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick.
Player sales put Nottingham Forest £12.1m into the black
April 2 – Nottingham Forest have reported a pre-tax profit of £12.1 million for the 2023-24 financial year, driven by £100 million in player sales. Despite recording an operating loss of £73.3 million, the club’s strong transfer market activity – including the £47.5 million sale of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur—converted financial red into black.