Germans rule fans out of attending Nations League match against Swiss in Cologne
October 13 – Germany will host Switzerland in the Nations League on Tuesday behind closed doors in Cologne because of rising coronavirus numbers.
Europe
Nations League hots up with Europe’s giants battling for bragging rights
October 12 – Heavyweights Portugal and France lost their perfect records in this season’s Nations League after playing out an underwhelming 0-0 draw against each other on Sunday, while Belgium saw its 13-match unbeaten run ended by a 2-1 defeat against England.
Turkey to partially re-open stadia to monied from October 17
October 12 – From October 17, some Turkish football fans will be allowed to attend domestic football matches again, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has announced.
LaLiga and Liga Portugal buddy up for another three years as 2030 bid gathers pace
October 9 – With Spain and Portugal having confirmed their joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup, their two top leagues have similarly renewed their vows, extending a cooperation agreement signed in 2017 for a further three years.
Euro 2020 qualifiers go to the wire with new faces and penalty shoot-out heroes emerging
October 9 – On a night of nerve-shredding action, Serbia reached the Euro 2020 playoff finals Thursday with a 2-1 away win away over Norway after extra time while seven other nations joined them across four different groups in what promises to be a series of thrilling head-to-head climaxes next month.
England vs Scotland U19s abandoned mid-match after positive covid case identified
October 9 – An under-19 friendly between England and Scotland on Thursday was abandoned during the first half after the visitors’ head coach Billy Stark tested positive for Covid-19.
Police raid DFB offices across Germany in tax fraud probe
October 8 – German prosecutors have searched several offices of the German Football Association (DFB) in the latest investigation into corruption, this time over the conduct of six former and current DFB bosses suspected of serious tax evasion.
D-day looms for Barca’s Bartomeu as no-confidence motion forces January vote
October 8 – January 9 is the date being reported in Spain that could spell the end of the reign of Barcelona supremo Josep Maria Bartomeu in a no confidence vote.
English football unites to lobby government on the positives of ending the fan ban
October 7 – English football’s governing bodies have joined forces in an attempt to force the government to reverse its decision to put plans on hold to allow fans back into stadiums in a safe and socially distanced manner.
Dubois tests positive as Europe’s covid spike casts eerie atmosphere over national teams
October 7 – French defender Leo Dubois has joined Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri as testing positive for the coronavirus on the eve of international friendlies and Nations League obligations.
Southgate struggles to control nursery as England’s partying kids break Covid rules again
October 7 – England manager Gareth Southgate has warned his players about their off-field behaviour in the wake of the latest breach of Covid-19 rules.
Ozil offers to pay wages of out-of-favour bench buddy Gunnersaurus
October 7 – Arsenal’s out-of-favour German international playmaker Mesut Ozil has offered to pay the salary of Jerry Quy, who has been playing the role of club mascot Gunnersaurus.
Transfers: Arsenal Partey on, Juve spend €50m on Chiesa, Man Utd grab Cavani and Telles
October 6 – With their manager under scrutiny, Manchester United were the most prolific Premier League spenders on the last day of the international summer transfer window, splashing out £28 million on four players though whether that keeps Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in his job remains to be seen.
Italian sports minister Spadafora says the Serie A show will go on, for now
October 6 – Italy’s sport minister says the season will not be halted in the wake of the Juventus-Napoli fixture, one of the biggest in the Italian calendar, being abandoned due to an apparent conflict over implementation of COVID-19 health rules.
Extinction rebellion: Fans battle to keep Arsenal’s Gunnersaurus alive
October 6 – Arsenal’s mascot became the latest victim of the club’s controversial cost-cutting exercise amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gunnersaurus was let go by the Londoners after serving the club for 27 years.