Croatian capital Zagreb commits €40m to rebuilding of Kranjčevićeva stadium
December 17 – Following a public consultation, the city of Zagreb has issued a tender for the reconstruction of the Kranjčevićeva stadium in Croatia’s capital.
News
Bochum and Union Berlin walk to draw after Drewes hit on head by missile
December 16 – Bochum will protest to the German football association after their goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was hit by a lighter in their Bundesliga draw at Union Berlin on Saturday, with the teams later returning to the pitch to finish the match but running down the clock without trying to score.
Kosovo’s Erjon Morina dies after suffering training ground heart attack, aged 22
December 13 – Kosovan and Vushtrri FC player, Erjon Morina, died on Thursday after being in intensive care for more than a month. The 22-year-old forward suffered a heart attack during a training session with Vushtrri FC at the end of October.
Belgium’s Cercle Brugge keep faith with Austrian recruitment policy
December 13 – Belgian club Cercle Brugge have named Ferdinand Feldhofer (pictured) as the successor to Miron Muslic. It’s the third time in a row that the club have put their fate in the hands of an Austrian manager.
Belgium’s Deinze folds after court declares club bankrupt
December 12 – Following the failed takeover of ADA Group, Belgian second-division club KMSK Deinze has been declared bankrupt by a local court in Ghent.
Women’s football attendances leap 38% overtaking 130-year old Rugby League
December 12 – Women’s football in the UK is booming, having shown year-on-year growth of nearly 38%, leading to larger, and more consistent, crowds than ever before, according to a report by ad agency Two Circles.
AC Milan turn to Tiffany for Hall of Fame trophy
December 12 – Italian giants, AC Milan, would like to see themselves as the ‘Tiffany’ club in Italian and world football, and they may well have succeeded in a new partnership with luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co.
Udinese to turn Stadio Friuli into sports, cultural and commercial hub
December 11 – The Udine city council has approved a comprehensive redevelopment plan for Stadio Friuli, home to Serie A club Udinese.
Manuel Neuer joins lengthening Bayern Munich injury list
December 11 – German goalkeeping legend Manuel Neuer has been ruled out for the rest of the year after suffering a broken rib.
Out of line: English referee David Coote fired for misconduct
December 10 – Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked after his position was deemed “untenable” by English football’s referees body following an investigation into his conduct which found his actions to be in serious breach of his contract.
Bulgarian FA to build national academy, with UEFA and FIFA help
December 9 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) plans to build a football academy with the financial help of FIFA and UEFA.
The president of the BFU, Georgi Ivanov, said in an interview with the Bulgarian National Television that FIFA and UEFA will provide the funds for the large-scale project, since the BFU does not receive any financial assistance from the state.
Rouge Groupe sees red over Marseilles fans’ homophobic chanting
December 4 – A French campaign group has renewed calls for authorities to take action against homophobic chanting by fans, singling out Marseille supporters for belting out anti-gay slurs “with complete impunity” during a home game against Monaco on Sunday.
Lamine Yamal’s Real Madrid abusers handed stadium bans and fines
December 3 – Four fans accused of racially insulting forward Lamine Yamal and other Barcelona players during last month’s league ‘clasico’ at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium are set to be banned from Spanish stadiums for a year.
Chris Coleman takes over at Belgium’s OH Leuven
December 3 – Chris Coleman has been named the new manager of OH Leuven following the departure of Oscar Garcia.
Fiorentina’s Bove rushed to hospital after collapsing against Inter Milan
December 2 – Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is in intensive care in hospital after collapsing on the pitch during his side’s Serie A match against Inter Milan on Sunday.