Olise set to shun King’s Rd for German football royalty
June 23 – Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise looks set to snub Chelsea for a second time to join FC Bayern in the latest twist to his ongoing transfer saga.
News
Rubin Kazan to sanction Daku on his return to Russia
June 24 – Russia’s Rubin Kazan FC said that Albanian national Mirlind Daku will be punished when he returns to the club after the Euros. Daku face a “disciplinary and financial” sanction.
U-17 Women’s World Cup draw pitches champions Spain against US and Colombia in group stage
June 24 – Reigning U-17 World Cup champions Spain will start the defence of their title this October in Group B, drawn against USA, South Korea and Colombia, runners-up last time around.
InBev expands North American soccer presence with joint MLS/Concacaf deal for Michelob
June 24 – AB InBev brand Michelob Ultra has become the official beer of Concacaf’s club competitions in a joint deal that includes the MLS and naming rights to the Campeones Cup, played between the winner of the MLS Cup and Mexico’s LigaMX.
Croatia and Italy primed for life-or-death battle
June 24 – Azzurri centre-back Alessandro Bastoni (pictured right) has vowed that Italy will set aside their fears as they strive to avoid the embarrassment of an early exit from Euro 2024 as his team set their sights on a clash with Croatia in Leipzig on Monday night.
Belgium back Lukaku to come good against Ukraine
June 23 – Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco is not worried by his side’s profligacy in front of goal at Euro 2024, and is keeping faith in Romelu Lukaku to come good.
Austria’s Rangnick focussed on Dutch decider
June 22 – Poland were put to the sword against Austria as the bottom-placed sides clashed in Group D, giving Ralf Rangnick’s side a lifeline headed into the final game versus Netherlands on Tuesday.
Chechia’s Ivan Hašek says they are ready for Georgia’s Kvaratskhelia
June 21 – Czechia are eyeing their first points of their Euro 2024 campaign against Georgia on Saturday afternoon after their last-second loss to Portugal left a bitter taste in an otherwise encouraging opening performance.
Belgium’s Tedesco relying on proven returnees for crucial Romania clash
June 21 – Counting on reinforcing their defence, Belgium will need a result in their second Group E encounter against Romania after a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia.
UEFA opens multiple investigations as Balkan nationalist fervour boils over
June 21 – The complex and fever-pitch intensity and rivalry among the various Balkan neighbours at Euro 2024 continues to take centre stage with UEFA now opening an investigation into Serbian claims that fans of Albania and Croatia chanted ‘kill, kill, kill the Serb’ during their Group B game on Wednesday.
Montagliani says Copa America in the US is preparation for Concacaf’s 2026 competitiveness
June 20 – Much has been made of the Copa America in the US being a test event for the 2026 World Cup, but there has not been so much comment about the importance of the event for six Concacaf nations competing as they build their teams towards 2026.
Copa America kicks off in Atlanta with Messi-mania driving Argentina past Canada
June 21 – The chants of ‘Mes-si! Mes-si! Mes-si!’ started more than an hour before kickoff and kept up throughout Argentina’s 2-0 win over Canada in the Copa America opening game in Atlanta.
Moroccan legend Nourredine Naybet says co-hosting 2030 will be transformational
June 21 – Moroccan legend Noureddine Naybet has added his support to the country’s joint World Cup 2030 bid with Spain and Portugal.
UEFA mourns passing of guiding force Gerhard Aigner, 80
June 21 – There was a moment of silence ahead of the Spain-Italy Group B match on Thursday in honour of former UEFA general secretary and chief executive Gerhard Aigner, who has died aged 80.