The final match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar "will be played on Dec. 18, the country's national holiday." FIFA spokesperson Walter De Gregorio "confirmed the date" Thursday but did not say when the tournament would start. He said the exec committee "could confirm the kickoff date" on Friday (AP, 3/19). ... Egypt's government announced Egypt's Premier League will resume on March 30 "behind closed doors." The league was suspended on Feb. 9 after at least 22 fans "were killed in clashes with police at a Cairo stadium" (BBC, 3/19). ... Ligue 2 club Nimes will be relegated at the end of the season after its former President Jean-Marc Conrad "was found guilty of trying to fix matches." After interviewing about 50 officials, players and coaches over two days, the French league's disciplinary commission said on Tuesday that Conrad "tried to fix four matches as his club fought off relegation last season." He was "banned from football-related activities" for seven years (AP, 3/17). ... UEFA and CONMEBOL have reached an agreement for players whose club teams reach the Champions League final to be eligible to play in the Copa América. Per the int'l calendar, the Champions League final marks the period for national teams, "meaning players can be called by their national teams after that game." This year's Champions League final will be played June 6. The Copa América will begin June 11 (MARCA, 3/19). ... Sunday's Barcelona-Real Madrid Clásico will "create movement" of €20M ($21.3M) in bets and a 200% increase in betting companies' advertising investment over the weekend, according to "Jdigital," the Spanish Association of Online Gaming. Per "Jdigital," 70% of the bets will be placed during the game, "with the remaining 30% coming in the days before." It is expected that people in Madrid will bet "twice as much as those in Barcelona" (EP, 3/19). ... Mexican politicians including Mexico City Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera and directors of Liga MX and Ascenso MX clubs on Wednesday presented Mexico's Manual General Estadio Seguro, which aims to implement and make uniform security protocol at all of the country's stadiums. Liga MX President Decio de María said that clubs are looking to "guarantee security for all fans that attend matches" (LA AFICION, 3/18).
