Sala plane crash report to be released
March 4 – The full report into circumstances of the crash that killed Argentine forward Emiliano Sala and his pilot will be released on March 13 according to British and French media.
Europe
Ceferin puts ‘purpose over profit’ in hard-hitting UEFA address
By Andrew Warshaw
March 3 – Using language such as “sickened” and “death sentence”, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin pulled no punches today as he renewed his attack on racism and threats to the international calendar and UEFA’s competitions – issues that continue to be of grave concern to the administration of European football’s governing body.
UEFA adamant that Covid-19 will not derail Euro 2020, yet
By Andrew Warshaw
March 3 – UEFA’s top brass were forced on the defensive today as they closed ranks over contingency plans for Euro 2020 – or lack of them – as a result of the spread of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus precautions prompt Swiss to suspend top two divisions
March 3 – Swiss football authorities have suspended all matches in the country’s top two divisions because of the coronavirus, one of the strongest sporting reactions to date to try and combat the spread of the illness.
UEFA rewards Budapest with 2022 Europa League final and brings Russia in from the cold in 2023
By Samindra Kunti in Amsterdam
March 3 – Budapest will host the 2022 Europa League final, UEFA’s Executive Committee decided on Tuesday. The body also awarded various other European finals to Helsinki, Kazan, Turin and Eindhoven respectively.
Calendar crisis: Inter boss Marotta fears Serie A season will be wiped out by Covid-19
March 2 – Italy’s Serie A season runs the risk of not being completed if more matches are postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to Inter Milan’s chief executive Giuseppe Marotta.
Calendar issues mount as European leagues make contingencies for spread of Covid-19
By Andrew Warshaw
March 2 – Leagues across Europe are now under threat because of the coronavirus with scores of fixtures potentially being affected over the coming weeks and months according to the head of the leagues’ umbrella body.
Bayern fans’ anti-Hopp banner offends players who refuse to play on
March 2 – Bayern Munich, flying high both domestically and in Europe, have had to issue an apology after their fans shamed the club by displaying an insulting banner at Hoffenheim that led to a protest by players on both sides taking matters into their own hands by refusing to play on and simply swapped passes with each other for the last 13 minutes.
UEFA ready for Congress with Covid-19 concerns over upcoming Euros
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – With the corona virus crippling sports events across the globe, UEFA’s executive committee seem certain to discuss the potential effect on Euro 2020 when they meet in Amsterdam on Monday ahead of their full 55-nation Congress 24 hours later.
UEFA releases 10,000 Europa League final tickets and launches ‘Flexi-Final’option
February 28 – UEFA is releasing 10,000 tickets for the 2020 UEFA Europa League final in Gdańsk, Poland, at 2pm today, and introducing for the first time a ‘Flexi-Final’ ticket for fans who only want to attend if their team makes the final.
Kosovan FA boss Ademi jailed for 9 months
February 28 – Kovoso’s football supremo Agim Ademi has been sentenced to nine months in prison by the country’s Appeals Court over attempted coercion.
Hungary’s Honved isolate coach Sannino after Italian coronavirus contact
February 27 – Spare a thought for Italian coach Giuseppe Sannino who has done nothing wrong on the pitch but has been temporarily stood down by his team, Honved of Hungary, because of his nationality given the effect of the coronavirus in his homeland.
UEFA and Greek government agree initiative to clean up Greek football corruption
February 26 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (pictured left) has signed an agreement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (pictured right) aimed at cleaning up Greek football, which for years has been marred by corruption, match-fixing, attacks on referees and crowd trouble.
Sports bodies on alert as Covid-19 spread in Italy hits Serie A and international schedules
February 26 – European governing body UEFA has said it is monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus closely, but potential consequences for Euro 2020 remain unclear.
Covid-19 virus spread shuts doors on Inter vs Ludogorets, Serie A debates closing stadia
February 25 – Inter Milan’s Europa League last-32 home second leg against Ludogorets of Bulgaria will be played behind closed doors as the spread of the coronavirus hits European competition.