Spanish star Aitana Bonmati ‘uncomfortable’ over Saudi gender inequalities
January 31 – Spanish star player Aitana Bonmati has said that playing in Saudi Arabia would make her “uncomfortable” because of gender inequality.
News
Serie A to partner with 7-a-side Kings League in pursuit of younger demographic
January 31 – Hot on the heels of the rapidly growing six-a-side Baller League, comes the announcement that the Kings League, the innovative 7-a-side football competition founded by Gerard Piqué, will form a partnership with the Serie A, Italy’s top football league.
Barca in home hunt for El Clasico in May
January 30 – The El Clasico, between Real Madrid and Barcelona is widely considered to be the biggest club game in world football and is eagerly awaited every season. On May 11, the second La Liga instalment following Barca’s thrashing of Madrid 4-0 at Estadio Bernabeu, is scheduled to take place at the Camp Nou, however, the game is now in jeopardy of having no facility to play in.
Marseilles-Nice derby marred by racist banners and homophobic chanting
January 29 – The French league has condemned yet another incident of homophobic and sexist chanting and racist banners, this time by home fans during a top-flight match between Nice and visiting Marseille last weekend.
French football and rugby union ready to join forces to manage Stade de France
January 29 – The French Football Federation (FFF) and French Rugby Federation (FFR) are preparing to join forces to manage the Stade de France if negotiations with GL Events for the stadium’s operation collapse.
Israeli top tier game abandoned over security fears, and it wasn’t the Palestinians
January 29 – A top-flight Israeli game was abandoned at halftime for security reasons after fans threw flares at players and rushed onto the field.
Greeks hail success of digital ticket system in combatting hooliganism
January 29 – Dimitris Papastergiou, Greece’s Minister of Digital Governance, has described the introduction of electronic tickets for football matches in the country as a huge success.
Belgium’s Radja Nainggolan arrested as part of cocaine trafficking investigation
January 28 – Serie A champion, and former Belgian international, Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking into Europe from South America.
Julian Nagelsmann to stay with German national team through to 2028 Euros
January 27 – Julian Nagelsmann has renewed his contract as head coach of the German national team for an extra two years beyond the 2028 European Championships.
Flagging Dortmund leave Nuri Sahin behind as they seek return to form
January 24 – Less than a year after reaching the Champions League final, Borussia Dortmund have sacked their coach, Nuri Sahin, following Tuesday’s defeat at Bologna which left them 13th in the new-look league system.
Naomi Girma joins Chelsea as women’s game’s first million dollar transfer
January 23 – In 1979, Trevor Francis became the first English footballer to command a £1 million transfer fee when he moved from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest. 46 years later Naomi Girma is set to make the first million-dollar transfer in women’s soccer history.
UK culture secretary attacks Tory opposition party for attempts to derail football regulator bill
January 22 – The UK’s culture secretary Lisa Nandy has called out the conservative party for seeking to “wreck” the football regulator bill, which has been designed to bring a degree of oversight to the top five professional tiers of English football.
Juve expand into Kings League’s 7-a-side format with Zebras FC alliance
January 22 – Juventus has become the first major club to join Gerard Piqué’s fast-growing Kings League Italy, a 7-a-side tournament that merges traditional football with modern entertainment.
Norway’s Lise Klaveness learns savvy as she bids for UEFA exco seat
January 22 – Two years ago, Norway’s football president Lise Klaveness was denied a seat at UEFA’s top table, predominantly the property of men.
Opinions divided over bringing booze back to English stadia
January 22 – Last week it was announced that alcohol would be allowed in view of the pitch at an English football stadium. This pilot scheme, which is being conducted at Bristol City, Southampton, Birmingham and Newcastle is being carried out across the clubs’ remaining home league games of the season with some derby fixtures exempt, however, it is limited to the women’s game.