UEFA to trial fourth sub system in youth championships
June 2 – UEFA are extending trials of allowing a fourth substitute to be used in extra time to a number of tournaments taking place this summer.
Europe
EPFL and UEFA close in on peace deal over Euro club competitions
By Andrew Warshaw
May 31 – The head of the umbrella body for Europe’s top leagues has hinted that a long-running dispute with UEFA over controversial changes to the Champions League may be on the verge of being resolved.
Man Utd secure Champions League berth with Europa League win
By Samindra Kunti
May 25 – Manchester United delivered a José Mourinho masterclass to win a disappointing Europa League final 2-0 against Ajax, save their season and mitigate the ramifications of a difficult week for the club and the city somewhat. With the victory, Manchester United will return to the lucrative Champions League next season.
Manchester bomb blast casts shadow over Europa League showpiece
By Samindra Kunti in Stockholm
May 24 – Amid heightened security in the Swedish capital the Europa League final between Manchester United and Ajax may have lost some of its lustre, but the stakes remain high for Jose Mourinho’s team with a season-defining Champions League ticket on offer.
Veteran politico Villar keeps control in Spain winning election for 8th term
By Andrew Warshaw
May 23 – The great survivor has done it again. Angel Maria Villar, one of the last remaining members of FIFA’s old guard, has been re-elected as head of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for the eighth consecutive time after standing unopposed.
Europa League’s Stockholm final to go ahead as Manchester reels from arena bomb shock
May 23 – UEFA have confirmed that the Europa League final between Manchester United and Ajax in Stockholm on Wednesday will go ahead and that there is no intelligence to suggest that the showpiece fixture could be targeted following the bomb blast in Manchester that tragically killed at least 22 concert-goers.
Trepca ’89 get UEFA approval to make Kosovo’s Champions League debut
May 18 – Trepca ’89 will make history next month when they become the first Kosovan club side to compete in Europe after winning a spot in the Champions League qualifying draw.
Out: long walk to pick up the trophy. In: pitch party celebrations
May 18 – Winning team captains will no longer lead their players up to the VIP area of stadiums to receive European club trophies.
Terrorist motive ruled out of Dortmund bus bomb attack
May 17 – Federal investigators in Germany say they have not found any indications that there was a “terrorist background” to the attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus on April 11.
Exclusive: FIFA’s loss could be UEFA’s gain. Maduro set for European role
By Andrew Warshaw
May 12 – The former Portuguese government minister unceremoniously ditched by FIFA in its clearout of senior governance experts looks set to make an immediate return – down the road at UEFA, FIFA’s biggest rival.
Italians bow to pressure and ‘de-criminalise’ Muntari with dropping of ban
May 7 – Sulley Muntari has had his controversial one-match ban for protesting against racist abuse overturned by Italy’s football authorities but says he was “treated like a criminal” for complaining.
Global outcry builds pressure on Italians to finally face their football racism
May 5 – Italian football’s reputation around the world has been damaged by the Sulley Muntari affair, the Italian Football Federation’s anti-racism advisor has charged.
Czech police swoop on FA offices and detain chairman Pelta
May 4 – The Czech football federation says it has been raided by police and its chairman Miroslav Pelta detained in the presence of his lawyer.
The winner takes it all – UEFA U17s to trial ABBA shoot-out system
By Andrew Warshaw
May 4 – Two months after football’s lawmakers gave the green light to experiment with a new tennis-style penalty shootout system, UEFA are employing it at the European under-17 championship, which began in Croatia today.
10-minute sinbins to debut in English grassroots leagues
May 5 – The English Football Association has agreed to trial rugby-style ‘sin bins’ in lower part-time leagues from next season.