Sligo parody ‘WAGatha Christie’ in quick-witted PR coup
By David Owen
October 10 – Sligo Rovers currently reside, it is fair to say, some way below the pinnacle of European football. But the League of Ireland club plays a mean social media game.
Europe
Europe’s clubs and leagues on collision course over Champions League set up post-2024
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – The heads of the two bodies representing Europe’s clubs and league have renewed their war of words over qualification for the Champions League in the post-2024 cycle and how European competitions should be structured.
All for one and one for all: England promise walk off if players are racially abused
October 9 – England players are threatening to walk off the pitch all together if any of them receive racist abuse from the stands when they take on Bulgaria in Sofia in a World Cup qualifier next Monday.
European Leagues boss Olsson says transfer window closing needs to be aligned
October 9 – The European summer transfer window should close at the same time everywhere as used to be the case, according to the head of the European Leagues.
Belgian FA question Anderlecht over Kompany’s ‘unqualified’ coaching role
By Samindra Kunti
October 9 – Anderlecht have defended Vincent Kompany’s role as player-coach at the Belgian FA, denying that Simon Davies was a ‘shadow’ coach in place only to give Kompany the qualifications back-up required in Belgium.
Another flare-up at Celtic. UEFA charge club for 17th time
October 9 – Celtic have been charged by UEFA for fans setting off fireworks just over two weeks after being fined for the use of flares and throwing objects.
Police fear England fans will spark a Friday night to forget in Prague
October 7 – Police chiefs reportedly pleaded with UEFA to switch England’s Friday night Euro 2020 kick-off in Prague this week amid fears of alcohol-fuelled crowd trouble.
Forty Years On, Barcelona revoke Franco’s medals
By David Owen
October 7 – More than four decades after the dictator’s death, the members of Barcelona – slogan ‘More than a Club’ – have voted to revoke medals given to General Francisco Franco.
All about the money: Arsenal’s Aubameyang returns Watzke’s comment with interest
October 4 – Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has slammed Borussia Dortmund’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke over the motives of his departure from the Ruhr club, calling the German executive a “clown” on social media.
Drone flying Armenian separatist flag halts Qarabag’s Europa League game in Luxembourg
October 4 – A Europa League game between Luxembourg’s F91 Dudelange and FK Qarabag of Azerbaijan was temporarily halted on Thursday when a drone was flown over the ground.
Spanish VAR gets nasty as Mediapro denies ‘manipulation’ and ‘criminal mindset’
By Paul Nicholson
October 2 – A row over the use of VAR in Spain has prompted LaLiga’s TV production partner Mediapro to issue a strongly worded rebuttal of accusations from the Spanish federation (RFEF) that Mediapro was manipulating public opinion with its broadcast coverage.
Former Valencia president Soler jailed for plot to kidnap and rob his former VP
October 2 – The former president of Valencia Juan Soler (pictured) has been jailed for two years for conspiring to kidnap his one-time vice-president and break into his home.
Nice call time on Diaby-Fadiga after dressing room watch theft
October 2 – French top-flight club Nice have sacked their teenage striker Lamine Diaby-Fadiga (pictured) after he admitted stealing a watch apparently worth €70,000 from team-mate Kasper Dolberg in the dressing room last month.
Leagues and players’ union plot path through foggy concussion protocols
October 1 – Europe’s football leagues have joined forces with the international players’ union body FIFPro to try and improve the way concussion cases are managed, potentially including independent doctors being on site.
Man City vs Atletico Madrid is pick of Women’s CL last 16 match-ups
October 1 – Manchester City were handed a difficult tie against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League’s round of 16, but English champions Arsenal were given a favorable draw against Slavia Prague.