Ukraine asked Abramovich to broker peace, claims advisor
March 1 – Chelsea’s billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich has been asked by Ukraine to help broker peace with his country according to the oligarch’s official spokesperson.
Europe
England say they will refuse to play Russia; but Russian women still inbound for Euro 2022
February 28 – England has become the latest country to refuse to play international fixtures against Russia.
UEFA switch Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – As widely anticipated, UEFA have stripped St Petersburg of hosting this season’s Champions League final and switched their annual showpiece fixture to the Stade de France in Paris as a result of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Schalke 04 drop Gazprom from shirt sponsorship
February 25 – German club Schalke 04 have removed Gazprom logo from the main shirt sponsorship position after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
FA wins £800k Arts Council grant to run Euro 2020 arts and cultural programme
February 25 – The FA has snagged an £800,000 grant from Arts Council England to run an arts and cultural programme alongside Women’s EURO 2022 in England. The money comes from the Arts Council National Lottery funding.
UEFA calls emergency meeting as Russia starts to bomb Kiev
February 24 – Under pressure to respond to Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called an extraordinary meeting of his executive committee for tomorrow, Friday.
Benfica’s Yaremchuk reveals Ukraine emblem after scoring against Ajax
February 24 – UEFA’s resolve over how to react to Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine has been further tested after Benfica’s Ukrainian international Roman Yaremchuk unveiled a trident logo in support of his homeland during Wednesday night’s Champions League last-16 game against Ajax.
Poland demand clarification of Qatar 2022 qualifying play-off against Russia
February 23 – With pressure growing on UEFA to shift the Champions League final away from Saint Petersburg over the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Poland has demanded that FIFA clarify the fate of their World Cup playoff against Russia.
Greek crackdown on violence sees suspension of supporters’ clubs
February 23 – In yet another crackdown move to try and reduce fan violence, supporters’ clubs are being shut down in Greece for five months, triggered by the murder of a 19-year-old who was stabbed and beaten to death by hooligans in the northern city of Thessaloniki.
Questionable judgement: Mourinho gets touchline ban after threatening ref
February 23 – Roma boss Jose Mourinho has been slapped with a two-match touchline ban and a €20,000 fine after he was sent off during Roma’s 2-2 draw with Verona on Saturday.
UEFA and UNWTO pack a bag for the future
February 23 – Have ball will travel … peacefully. UEFA is partnering with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to promote the benefits of sport and sports tourism “for development and opportunity for all”.
Pressure builds on UEFA to strip Russia of Champions League final as troops enter Ukraine
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – UEFA are coming under mounting pressure to strip St Petersburg of the Champions League final due to Russia’s military incursion into eastern Ukraine which has been widely condemned in the west.
Koch head injury shows current rules are dangerous, says PFA, concussion subs needed
February 22 – England’s Professional Footballers’ Association says the current rules relating to concussion are not working and “are failing to prioritise player safety” following an injury sustained by Leeds United’s Robin Koch in Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United.
Ajax agree €7.8m care package for Abdelhak Nouri
February 22 – Eredivisie giant Ajax and Abdelhak Nouri’s family have reached a settlement of €7.85 million to care for the brain-damaged former player.
Boston Celtics owner Pagliuca buys control of Serie A’s Atalanta for estimated $450m
February 21 – After initially denying reports they were selling, Atalanta have become the latest Italian top-flight club to do a deal with American investors – this time led by Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca.