England’s Russian warm-up. Fans disgrace country at Dutch (un)friendly
March 26 – The resurgence of hooliganism by England fans has cast a dark shadow over the current international break as well as the build-up to the World Cup in Russia.
Europe
Crash and burned: UEFA banned Sampson for post-Euro aggressive rant
March 26 – Former England women’s head coach Mark Sampson was banned for three games by UEFA 24 hours after he was sacked in September by the English FA for “inappropriate behaviour” in an unrelated previous role, it has emerged.
German football stays ‘anchored in society’ as clubs reject changing 50+1 rule
March 23 – Regarded as the root of everything morally correct about the German club structure, the Bundesliga has voted to retain the 50+1 rule which has been held up as a bastion of commercial fair play.
Belgian Pro League earmarks cash for women’s club development
By Samindra Kunti
March 23 – Belgian’s Pro League has earmarked €300,000 of its TV rights revenue for women’s football in a bid to boost and strengthen the game in the country. The step is a first sign that the league is taking the women’s game seriously.
Savvidis links leave a fiery trail of intimidation, political influence and burnt cars
March 23 – Following the gun-toting antics of PAOK owner Ivan Savvidis that led to the suspension of the Greek Super League, further information is emerging purportedly linking Savvidis, his associates and his companies to more criminal violence and intimidation in Greek football dating back to 2015.
Fulham win planning approval for Craven Cottage as they push for Premier League return
March 23 – English Championship club Fulham have been granted planning permission to extend their Craven Cottage stadium to 29,600. The building work will start in the Summer of 2019.
Manchester United aim to break new ground with women’s pro team in WSL2
March 22 – Manchester United is officially crossing the gender divide and launching a women’s team that will for the first time play under the famous club’s name and in its club colours.
UEFA extends with Leaders XX Series to drive commercial reality of women’s game
March 21 – UEFA has extended its partnership with the Leaders XX Series into a second year. The Leaders XX Series is a forum that gathers football and sports industry leaders grow women’s sport through innovation.
Brentford build for a Premier League future with new stadium in upscale West London
March 21 – English Championship club Brentford are targeting a December 2019 move into their new West London stadium, according to club chairman Cliff Crown. Ground breaking has just begun on the site for the 17,250 capacity venue, with building work starting next month in what is expected to be an 18-month construction timeline.
Lyon on brink of Euro ban after fans attack police and run riot in stadium
March 20 – Lyon face being thrown out of Europe for a year by UEFA because of crowd trouble before last Thursday’s Europa League fixture when they were eliminated by CSKA Moscow.
Micciche takes over Serie A presidency after a brief courtship in interim role
March 20 – Gaetano Micciche has been confirmed as the new president of the Serie A after stepping into the post temporarily less than two weeks ago.
Russia promises to keep Arsenal fans safe; survey finds 34% in favour of a 2018 boycott
March 19 – Russia has issued security guarantees to Arsenal fans planning to travel to Moscow for next month’s Europa League clash with CSKA in the wake of the diplomatic spat over the poisoning of a Russian double agent on British soil.
UEFA releases Kiev Champions League final ticket prices
March 16 – UEFA has released ticketing detail for their showpiece Champions League final in Kiev Ukraine, on May 26.
FIFA send emergency delegation to Greece as ECA suspends PAOK membership
By Paul Nicholson and Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – A FIFA delegation has landed in Greece to discuss the chaos of the weekend which has since seen the Greek Superleague suspended indefinitely by the Greek government. Separately the European Club Association has taken the unusual step of provisionally suspending PAOK following the unprecedented events in their match against league title rivals AEK Athens.
Greek government steps in to suspend Super League indefinitely
March 13 – Greece’s Super League has been suspended “indefinitely” by the Greek government following the pitch intervention in a top of the table clash between PAOK and AEK Athens by Ivan Savvidis, owner of PAOK. Savvidis entered the field carrying a holstered handgun on his hip and allegedly threatened the referee after a 90th minute goal was disallowed.