Europa League ignites with battle of the giants as Man Utd dump Barca
February 24 – Barcelona’s recent continental woes continued as they were dumped out of the Europa League by Manchester United on Thursday, failing to reach the last 16.
Europe
Comment: Is the English FA set to be suspended by FIFA?
By James Dostoyevsky
After months of research, discussions, and hearings, after a Herculean effort to “do the right thing” (as the present Tory government in the UK regularly tells everyone it is doing), the mountain has given birth to Mighty Mouse.
Le Graët must go, says FFF board member ahead of crucial meeting
February 22 – Under-fire French football chief Noel Le Graet has come under further pressure to resign permanently following an intervention by a high-profile colleague within the French federation (FFF).
Russia remains out in the cold after Swiss court rejects appeal against CAS ruling
February 24 – The Russian Football Union’s (RFU) has had its appeal to the Swiss Supreme Court over the suspension of its national teams and clubs from international tournaments dismissed as it missed the deadline.
Government-backed ‘independent’ regulator to police English professional football
February 23 – In a massive shakeup of the governance of English professional football, an independent regular has been confirmed by the government with widespread powers to ensure the financial sustainability of clubs – and, crucially, stop teams from joining any breakaway European Super League.
England hit form, and six goals, to beat Belgium to Arnold Clark Cup
February 23 – England’s Lionesses retained the Arnold Clark Cup on Wednesday by thrashing Belgium 6-1, the perfect tonic for the European champions in the build-up to the World Cup this summer.
English FA starts grassroots referee body cam trial in bid to stop abusive players
February 23 – English football authorities have begun trialling body cameras on referees in grassroots leagues to help “improve participant behaviour and respect towards referees”.
LaLiga clubs express ‘concern’ over Barca payments to former referee
February 22 – Spanish clubs have jointly expressed their concern over reports that for years Barcelona paid a company owned by a former Catalan referee almost €1.4 million for “technical advice”.
‘Flight risk’ Alves refused bail in Spain over sexual assault charges
February 22 – Brazil’s former Barcelona star Dani Alves has had a request to be released from jail on bail rejected by a Spanish court as the investigation into an alleged sexual assault continues.
Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut’s body found in earthquake rubble
February 22 – The body of Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut (pictured) has been recovered more than two weeks after the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria in which more than 47,000 people have died.
Breaking boundaries: Norway’s Klaveness asks the equality question of UEFA’s nations
February 21 – She may not have much chance of success but when Lise Klaveness runs for a position on UEFA’s executive committee in April, she will attempt to change years of male domination.
Aussies head north for charity double against England
February 21 – England’s men’s and women’s teams are to play Australia in a unique international friendly double for charity later this year.
Swedes tackle taboos to keep girls playing the game
February 21 – The betting business is not generally regarded as being the most sensitive or caring sector of the sports business but Swedish state gaming company Svenska Spel has teamed up with the Swedish FA to tackle one of the biggest taboos in the women’s game.
Barca deny they sought to influence refs through €1.4m deal with former match official
February 20 – Barcelona paid a company owned by a former Catalan referee almost €1.4 million for “technical advice”, according to Spanish media reports citing a tax probe.
Christian Atsu’s body found in ruins of his apartment building in Antakya
February 20 – Christian Atsu, the former Ghana international forward who played for Premier League clubs Chelsea and Newcastle, has tragically died in the huge earthquake in southern Turkey.