English FA drafts in Sue Day from rugby union as new director of football
April 25 – The English Football Association has announced the appointment of Sue Day as its new director of women’s football.
Europe
English FA’s grassroots support programme for disabled people wins UEFA recognition
April 25 – The English Football Association has introduced a new wide-ranging support package to help grassroots clubs facilitate participation for disabled people, with the project winning the 2023/24 UEFA Grassroots Award for best disability initiative.
ECA membership pushes past 600-club mark
April 25 – The European Club Association (ECA) is winning the membership battle in the football clubs stakeholder space against the newly formed Union of European Clubs (UEC).
Premier League’s Masters leads English leagues’ warning over dangers of imposing a regulator on English game
April 24 – The Premier League has again cautioned about the potential risks associated with the establishment of an independent regulator for English football.
UEFA Board calls for ‘firm’ discipline for players faking injury and less abuse of officials
April 24 – Some of European football’s most distinguished former players and coaches say VAR needs to become more “consistent, transparent and understandable” and that faking injury and the abuse of officials both need to be urgently addressed.
Welsh FA launches major overhaul of its top tier league with expansion on and off the pitch
April 24 – The Welsh FA (FAW) has launched a six-year strategy through to 2030 for the overhaul of the top tier of its men’s league, the JD Cymru Premier League, to make it more competitive on and off the field, and boost its commercial positioning as it reformats both the league and its calendar.
UEFA selects 19 referee roster for Euro 2024
April 23 – The UEFA Referees’ Committee has announced 19 referees, their referee assistant teams, and the video/support match officials, who will take charge of the 51 matches at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.
Belgian top tier clubs all pass club licensing criteria but second tier teams have difficulties
April 23 – All Belgian top flight clubs have been issued a license for the 2024-25 season by the Belgian FA (RBFA) but in the second division KV Oostende, Patro Eisden and Francs Borains all failed to be meet the licensing criteria.
Czech’s hand former national team coach Petr Rada three-month ban for racism
April 23 – Former Czech national team coach Petr Rada has been handed a three-month ban and fined by his federation for a racist slur against a rival.
Spain and Aitana Bonmati dominate Laureus Awards
April 23 – Spain dominated the Laureus Awards with the 2023 Women’s World Champions taking home the Team of the Year award and midfielder Aitana Bonmati named Sportswoman of the Year.
Inter Milan secure Serie A title with ‘away’ win over AC Milan at San Siro
April 23 – Inter Milan have won their 20th Serie A title after a heated 2-1 win at arch-rivals AC Milan gave Simone Inzaghi’s side an unassailable lead in the standings with five matches remaining.
Chelsea condemn racial abuse of Cameroonian Nicolas Jackson after FA Cup semi-final loss
April 23 – Chelsea have said they are “disgusted by the racial abuse directed towards Nicolas Jackson via social media” following their FA Cup semi-final defeat by holders Manchester City on Saturday.
With demolition of CSKA’s stadium a month ahead of schedule, attention turns to new build
April 23 – The BGN 1 million (€500 000) demolition of the CSKA Sofia Bulgarian Army stadium has begun and is expected to be completed within two months – a month earlier than planned – making way for a new BGN 90 million (€45 million) stadium and events centre.
UEFA leads on anti-doping with pre-Euros education workshop in Nyon
April 22 – Football took another step in underlining its commitment to promoting and protecting clean sport this week as global and European organisations gathered at an anti-doping education workshop in Nyon, Switzerland.
Man Utd controversially squeeze past Coventry to set up FA Cup final against Man City
April 22 – It was seconds away from being one of the most memorable FA Cup stories in the competition’s long history – if not the most. Then a combination of a highly contentious VAR call and a penalty shootout snatched it all away.