Poyet tasked with rebuilding Greek national team after Qatar 2022 qualification failure
February 14 – Gus Poyet has become the new manager of Greece’s national team after the country’s failure to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
Europe
Al-Khelaifi heralds new dawn of ECA/UEFA relations and the ‘tectonic shift’ of the TEAM deal
By Paul Nicholson
February 10 – European Club Association (ECA) chair Nasser Al-Khelaifi (pictured) has written to the 240+ members saying that the new three-year commercial deal agreed with TEAM Marketing and Relevent Sports Group is a watershed moment for the association.
Belgian clubs report combined €139m loss
February 10 – Belgium’s 26 professional clubs registered total record losses of €139 million last year (2020-21 season), the bulk of it a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Italy targets Euro 2032 hosting as embarks on stadium modernisation
February 9 – European champions Italy have indicated their interest in staging Euro 2032 and have informed UEFA accordingly.
UEFA to keep watching brief over Albanian FA elections
February 9 – In an unusual move, UEFA are sending a delegation to Albania to monitor the electoral process of the Albanian FA before clubs vote on a new president next month.
Barca CEO Reverter to quit mid-rebuild
February 9 – FC Barcelona CEO Ferran Reverter has resigned after less than a year in the role “for personal and family reasons”, with the club in the crucial stages of agreeing a major sponsorship deal with streaming service Spotify.
Greeks to crack down on violence after Aris fan murdered
February 9 – Greece is to clamp down on fan violence following the killing of a 19-year-old fan in what was believed to be an attack by rival supporters.
Spotify’s €280m deal would be music to Barca’s ears
February 8 – Financially challenged Barcelona are reportedly on the verge of agreeing a €280 million shirt and training kit deal with streaming service Spotify.
TEAM retains global rights to UEFA’s Champions League but US media goes to Relevent
February 8 – TEAM Marketing has retained the rights to the UEFA men’s Champions League for the rights cycle 2024-27, but has ceded media sales rights to Relevent Sports Group in the US.
British and Irish FAs dump World Cup 2030 bid in favour of a run at hosting Euro 2028
By Paul Nicholson
February 7 – The combined British and Irish bid to host the World Cup in 2030 has been officially shelved with the five FAs instead saying they will focus on a bid to host the Euro 2028 championships.
Overmars apologises but quits Ajax after series of inappropriate messages
February 7 – Marc Overmars has quit Ajax as sporting director over inappropriate messages, the Amsterdam club announced on Sunday.
UEFA report shows the resilience of Europe’s club game and green shoots after the harshest of winters
By Paul Nicholson
February 4 – UEFA’s annual club licensing report just released, is it most impressive yet, leaving almost no stone unturned in its review and overview of the health of the club game in Europe.
Ukraine vs Russia, the real battle for European supremacy
February 4 – Ukraine and Russia play each other (today) in a historic futsal semi-final at the European championship against a backdrop of heightened political tension over the threat of renewed conflict between the nations.
People power: EC registers ‘Citizens’ Initiative’ calling for law to protect European sports model
February 3 – The European Commission has registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Win It On The Pitch’, which, if it gains enough public support, will force the EC to consider the proposal aimed at protecting the European sports model.
WSL players win rights to maternity and long-term injury pay
February 2 – Players in the Women’s Super League and second-tier Championship will receive maternity and injury cover as part of an agreement between the English FA and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA).