Black and white error: BBC gaffe brands Newcastle as scum
October 3 – Television viewers were somewhat alarmed to see a description of Newcastle United as “black and white scum” during a BBC highlights programme on Sunday night.
Europe
Barca play behind closed doors on ‘independence’ day. Pique offers to quit Spanish team
October 2 – Barcelona’s league game against Las Palmas was played behind closed doors at the 11th hour at the weekend as the Catalan referendum dispute spilled over into football.
Amiens barrier collapse sparks Ligue 1 investigation into fan safety
October 2 – Five fans were injured when a barrier collapsed during a French top-flight match at the weekend. At least 29 people were hurt in the incident, which occurred in the 16th minute of Amiens’ Ligue 1 match with Lille.
Island dreams: Jersey win right for full member vote on whether it can join UEFA’s club
By Andrew Warshaw
September 29 – The channel island of Jersey has won a partial victory in its bid to become a UEFA member, in the process giving European football’s governing body another unwanted headache over its admittance policy.
Losing their marbles: Apoel ask Spurs fans to return the Elgin statues
September 28 – There are all kinds of football chants directed at away supporters – but fans of Apoel Nicosia this week opted to denounce their British colonial past when Tottenham Hotspur came to town in the Champions League.
Perugia striker Han told to stay off Italian TV or be repatriated to North Korea
September 28 – A North Korean player on Perugia’s books has been barred from appearing on Italian TV – by the authorities in his own country.
England boost women’s club game turning top tier full time and expanding league
By Paul Nicholson
September 27 – The English FA, recovering from the scandals surrounding the sacking of women’s national team coach Mark Sampson, has positive news for the women’s game with the announcement of a restructuring and expansion of the elite women’s game in the country.
Juve and ECA boss Agnelli hit with ban for selling tickets to mafia-linked Ultras
By Andrew Warshaw
September 26 – Having only recently been elected as head of the European Club Association, the reputation of Andrea Agnelli has taken an immediate and somewhat embarrassing turn for the worse with the Juventus boss banned for a year by Italy’s soccer federation (FIGC) for his alleged role in the sale of match tickets to the club’s ultras fans.
UEFA launch Nations League to bring a competitive edge to international schedule
By Andrew Warshaw
September 22 – For years, football’s European stakeholders – leagues, clubs and especially fans – have complained about meaningless friendlies and pushed for an alternative that makes games more competitive.
Ceferin warns PSG probe is real and that UEFA rebuild is not all about the money
By Andrew Warshaw
September 21 – UEFA could announce by the end of this season what sanctions, if any, it will impose on Paris St Germain as a result of its probe into the club for potential breaches of financial fair play.
Atletico’s Metropolitano to host 2019 CL final, Baku wins Europa League hosting
September 21 – Atletico Madrid’s brand new stadium has beaten off competition from Baku to win the right to stage the 2019 Champions League final.
Sorokin to bring Russian voice to FIFA Council, as UEFA adds EPFL to its top table
By Andrew Warshaw in Geneva
September 20 – Four months after the embarrassment of its most powerful sports supremo being blocked from keeping his place at FIFA’s top table, Russia regained its influence in world football politics today when Alexei Sorokin was elected to FIFA’s ruling Council until 2021.
Ceferin calls for political help on salary caps to ‘protect the magic of football’
By Andrew Warshaw in Geneva
September 20 – UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has challenged European governments to help bring about greater competitive balance within the game, not least allowing salary caps which has long been close to the Slovenian’s heart.
Russia 2018 chief Sorokin set for FIFA Council as UEFA to unveil Nations League
By Andrew Warshaw
September 19 – Alexey Sorokin (pictured), the public face of next year’s World Cup in Russia, is set to be elected on Wednesday as Europe’s last remaining representative on the FIFA Council in place of the barred Vitaly Mutko, ensuring his country retains an influential voice at FIFA’s top table.
Cologne demand replay after claims VAR broke protocol and changed the course of match
September 19 – Already charged by UEFA because of the behaviour of their fans last week in the Europa League at Arsenal, Cologne are back in the spotlight – this time domestically where they are demanding a replay claiming that video technology in their 5-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday was at fault.