Turkish FA hands Mourinho 4-match ban for abusive and derogatory language
February 28 – The Turkish Football Federation has punished Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho with a four-match ban TL 1.617 million (€42 000) fine.
Europe
Belgians drop topflight play-off format in favour of return to traditional league structure
February 28 – Belgian clubs have ditched the controversial playoffs format of the topflight in favour of a traditional 18-club league format.
Top player, top tournament? Is AFCON why Salah won’t win Ballon d’Or?
February 26 – Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher has drawn the ire of former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand with his comments disparaging the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Bayern launch Instagram channel for training and talent spotting
February 26 – Youth talent development and global scouting are key weapons in the arsenal of clubs looking to get an edge, and that’s one of the reasons FC Bayern Munich have just released @fcbayernpathway.
BFU bans leading academy from national training base after referee attacked at U14 cup final
February 26 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has terminated its relations with the Ares Football Academy and banned all of their teams from training at the Boyana National Football Base.
Dyukov will not stand in UEFA ExCo election, Klaveness to run for quota place
February 25 – Russian Football Union (RFU) president Alexander Dyukov will not retain his seat on the UEFA Executive Committee (ExCo), one of Europe’s most influential football bodies.
On Monday, UEFA released the list of candidates for the ExCo elections that will take place in six weeks in the Serbian capital Belgrade at the organisation’s congress. Dyukov was not included, and will not stand for reelection.
José Mourinho accused of ‘racist statements’ following Istanbul derby
February 25 – José Mourinho is making headline news again for all the wrong reasons after his latest controversial outburst about Turkish football.
PSV hope Wasserman can boost commercial ambitions
February 25 – Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven have announced a strategic partnership with global sports agency Wasserman, aimed at enhancing the club’s commercial operations.
Van Persie returns to bring ‘attacking and polished’ football to Feyenoord
February 25 – Robin van Persie has been named the new manager of Dutch giants Feyenoord, signing a contract that extends until 2027 with the club where his playing career began.
Closed canteen and job cuts at Manchester United as club tighten purse strings
February 25 – Just how bad are things at Manchester United? The club are languishing in 15th place in the English Premier League and staff are being laid off in record numbers.
Mesut Özil enters Turkish politics as part of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s party
February 25 – Former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil has decided to enter the political game as a member of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi).
Čeferin talks globalism and Champions League in a world that has not been as dangerous since pre-WW2
February 25 – UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin reckons that 99% of people are now satisfied with the Champions League but says there is no discussion about taking the final of the competition to the US, despite the new partnership with new US-based marketing agency Relevent.
Marseilles president accuses French refs of rigging games after loss to Auxerre
February 24 – Marseille president Pablo Longoria (pictured) faces almost certain punishment from French footballing authorities after an outburst on Saturday in which he claimed his club were the victims of “corruption” following a 3-0 Ligue 1 loss to Auxerre.
Textor fires both barrels at PSG’s ‘illegal’ state finance model, saying rules are not being applied evenly
February 24 – Lyon co-owner John Textor has publicly criticised PSG’s ownership structure, labeling it as ‘illegal’.
China’s JD.com debuts as final secondary sponsor for UEFA Champions League
February 24 – UEFA has locked in its final secondary sponsor for the Champions League, with Chinese e-commerce powerhouse JD.com joining EA Sports, Oppo, and Topps in the ‘Global Enhanced Product / Service Partner’ tier.