French minister wants matches stopped when homophobic chanting starts
October 25 – France’s interior minister wants matches to be brought to a halt when fans are guilty of homophobic chanting.
Europe
Madrid and Baku bid to replace Milan as 2027 Champions League final hosts
October 24 – UEFA has confirmed that either Madrid or Baku will stage the 2027 Champions League final after the capital cities of Spain and Azerbaijan stepped in to replace Milan as host of the showpiece fixture.
Days before national elections, Bulgarian government grants €15m for Varna Stadium completion
October 24 – Just four days before the next parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, the country’s caretaker government has secured BGN 30 million (€15 million) for the reconstruction of the Varna stadium in the Black Sea city.
Mourinho favourites Man Utd and Spurs for Europa League, looks forward to win bonus for 2017/18 EPL win
October 24 – The self-styled Special One appears to have lost none of his mischievous, outspoken impishness.
PSG fans keep up their homophobic snearing
October 23 – A section of Paris Saint-Germain fans loudly jeered an announcement before Tuesday’s home draw with PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League that reminded supporters that discriminatory chanting is prohibited.
Pixel FC Academy aims to open the doors for women into football media’s man-cave
October 23 – The blending of technology, media, and football never stops, and neither does the growth of women’s football. Google Pixel and The Powerhouse Project have teamed up with Arsenal, Liverpool and the FA to create and launch the Pixel FC Academy.
Romanian FA blows final whistle on scandal-hit Nordis’ referees sponsorship
October 23 – The Romanian Football Federation has terminated its sponsorship contract with Nordis Group. The real estate company was the main sponsor of the FRF Referees Committee, and its logo was on the shirts of the Romanian referees.
LaLiga seeks greenlight for Barca vs Atletico US smash-and-grab raid in Miami
October 22 – Pressure is building on FIFA and the US Soccer Federation from LaLiga to sanction a regular season game in the United States.
Serbian police attached by FC Novi Pazar ultras locked out of stadium
October 22 – Six police officers were injured after FC Novi Pazar ultras attacked law enforcement officers before the Serbian league match against Partizan.
LFP condemns PSG fans for homophobic chanting
October 21 – The French football league (LFP) has condemned homophobic chanting by a section of Paris St Germain fans during Saturday’s win over Strasbourg.
Bekloppt? Mainz fans angry at Klopp’s new Red Bull gig
October 21 – Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has been criticised by fans of one of his other clubs, Mainz, for his decision to join energy drinks company Red Bull and oversee its international football network.
Atletico to halt away ticket sales in bid to repair club image after racism sanctions
October 18 – Atletico Madrid say they will not sell tickets to season ticket holders for their next five away matches, a measure the club has taken on top of recent sanctions imposed by UEFA and the Spanish FA (RFEF).
UEFA draws play-off qualifiers for final three slots at Slovakia 2025 U-21 finals
October 18 – The U21 European Championship play-offs have been drawn at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, with six teams battling for the last three slots at next summer’s finals in Slovakia.
Pogba insists he is not a drugs cheat
October 18 – Former French international midfield star Paul Pogba has hit back at his critics by insisting he is not a drugs cheat after his original four-year ban was reduced to 18 months earlier this month by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
UEFA hits Romania with partial stadium closure and fine for anti-Kosovo chants and racism
October 17 – UEFA have fined the Romanian Football Federation €52,500 for racist fan behaviour during the side’s Nations League clash with Lithuania in September.