Low point: Germans back head coach for Euro 2020
December 1 – Joachim Low will coach Germany at Euro 2020. The longstanding coach had come under severe pressure in recent months, but the German FA (DFB), have kept their faith in him.
Europe
FA disarray as Cartwright quits board at start of hunt for new chair
December 1 – The English Football Association has been plunged into yet more disarray with the resignation of its senior independent director Stacey Cartwright, who had been leading the selection panel to appoint a new chairman for the organisation.
Lack of match dates could force Coupe de France off, says Le Graët
December 1 – This season’s entire Coupe de France is in danger of being called off, according to French federation president Noël Le Graët.
Frappart breaks down more barriers with Juve vs Dynamo Kiev appointment
December 1 – Stephanie Frappart breaks more new ground on Wednesday when she becomes the first woman to referee a men’s Champions League game.
UEFA to open talks with city hosts on options for fan attendance at Euros next June
November 30 – UEFA have decided to make a final decision on March 5 next year in terms of whether fans will be allowed at the postponed Euro 2020 tournament.
UEFA nations ranked as 2022 World Cup qualifying pots decided for December 7 draw
November 27 – FIFA has confirmed the seedings for the European section of qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with England, Belgium and reigning world champions France in Pot 1.
UEFA hands Qarabag’s Ibrahimov life ban for ‘kill’ all Armenians’ social post
November 27 – In an unusual move, UEFA has banned for life a staff member of Azerbaijani champions Qarabag for a social media post that showed “racist behaviour” and “incidents of a non-sporting nature”.
Tebas says LaLiga stadia could be open to some fans by early Jan/Feb 2021
November 27 – LaLiga President Javier Tebas has said he hopes to have fans back in Spanish stadiums in January or February 2021.
UEFA relegates Ukraine as Swiss keep Nations League spot without winning a match
November 26 – Once again, the impact of coronavirus rather than anything on the field has dashed a country’s Nations League hopes.
World’s highest paid union boss to step down after 40 years at PFA
November 26 – Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, which represents players in England and Wales, is to stand down at the end of this season.
Laporta indicates he is ready to take lead at Barcelona again
November 25 – Joan Laporta, who led Barcelona between 2003 and 2010, is set to announce that he will run for a second term as club president in succession to the much-maligned Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned last month under pressure from players, supporters and fellow board members.
England to unlock gates for limited fan return from December 2
November 24 – Up to 4,000 spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor ‘elite’ sport, including Premier League football, in the lowest-risk Covid areas of England when a month-long national lockdown is lifted on December 2.
Norway warms to new league champions Bodø/Glimt from the Arctic Circle
November 24 – As footballing miracles go, not many can match the romantic achievement of new Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt who, as some reports put it, have “done a Leicester”.
Foul play in Switzerland? Ukraine claim game should and could have been played
By Paul Nicholson
November 20 – The Ukrainian FA (UAF) claims that its Nations League match against Switzerland should have been played and that the country had enough covid-free players to complete the fixture.
FAI probe sectarian video ‘nasty’ shown to Irish players pre-England friendly
November 20 – The Football Association of Ireland has launched an internal investigation into a controversial video message shown to the Ireland squad before last week’s friendly against England at Wembley.