Spanish star Aitana Bonmati ‘uncomfortable’ over Saudi gender inequalities
January 31 – Spanish star player Aitana Bonmati has said that playing in Saudi Arabia would make her “uncomfortable” because of gender inequality.
Europe
Serie A to partner with 7-a-side Kings League in pursuit of younger demographic
January 31 – Hot on the heels of the rapidly growing six-a-side Baller League, comes the announcement that the Kings League, the innovative 7-a-side football competition founded by Gerard Piqué, will form a partnership with the Serie A, Italy’s top football league.
Norwegian FA defies clubs and fans on VAR in call to develop it
January 30 – The Norwegian FA (NFF) has launched a defence of VAR in a bid to retain it, after NFF president Lise Klaveness (pictured) and her board met on Wednesday to consider the future of the technology following opposition from fans, who threw fish cakes on to a pitch last year in protest, and clubs, who have voted to get rid of it.
Europa League set to reach exciting conclusion with 18-game slate
Off the back of a thrilling UEFA Champions League night on Wednesday, it is now the turn of the inaugural Europa League group phase to reach its climax on Thursday evening, with all 18 matches kicking off simultaneously at 20:00 GMT.
Abramovich allegedly dodged tax payments through superyacht scheme
January 30 – Former Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich allegedly dodged paying millions in taxes to British authorities through an elaborate fictitious superyacht hiring scheme.
Man City, PSG avoid early exits from UEFA Champions League
January 30 – Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain secured vital victories on the final matchday of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League group phase to ensure qualification to the play-off round.
Municipality of Split begins €25million renovation of Poljud Stadium
January 30 – The Municipality of Split is preparing the process to reconstruct and renovate the Poljud Stadium, Croatia’s largest football venue with a capacity of 33,987 seats.
Barca in home hunt for El Clasico in May
January 30 – The El Clasico, between Real Madrid and Barcelona is widely considered to be the biggest club game in world football and is eagerly awaited every season. On May 11, the second La Liga instalment following Barca’s thrashing of Madrid 4-0 at Estadio Bernabeu, is scheduled to take place at the Camp Nou, however, the game is now in jeopardy of having no facility to play in.
Marseilles-Nice derby marred by racist banners and homophobic chanting
January 29 – The French league has condemned yet another incident of homophobic and sexist chanting and racist banners, this time by home fans during a top-flight match between Nice and visiting Marseille last weekend.
French football and rugby union ready to join forces to manage Stade de France
January 29 – The French Football Federation (FFF) and French Rugby Federation (FFR) are preparing to join forces to manage the Stade de France if negotiations with GL Events for the stadium’s operation collapse.
Israeli top tier game abandoned over security fears, and it wasn’t the Palestinians
January 29 – A top-flight Israeli game was abandoned at halftime for security reasons after fans threw flares at players and rushed onto the field.
UCL reaches winner-takes-all final round of league matches with 27 clubs still in the hunt
January 29 – Tonight the UEFA Champions League concludes its league phase with, for the first time, all 18 games being played on the same night and with the same kick-off time.
The new format has been a major success. 27 of the 36 teams still have something to for, whether it is getting into the top eight teams, or securing a place in the next 16 places for the knockout play-offs.
Greeks hail success of digital ticket system in combatting hooliganism
January 29 – Dimitris Papastergiou, Greece’s Minister of Digital Governance, has described the introduction of electronic tickets for football matches in the country as a huge success.
DFL to trial referee announcements in an attempt to boost transparency
January 28 – In a move aimed at boosting transparency and fan engagement, the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga will trial public referee announcements during Matchday 20.
Euro winner Luis de La Fuente extends Spain contract
January 28 – Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has extended his contract until 2028 after leading the team to last year’s European Championship title.