Lennon walks away from Celtic as Rangers run away with title
February 24 – Celtic manager Neil Lennon has resigned with the Glasgow giants 18 points behind arch-rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership table.
Europe
Real Madrid caught in alleged tax evasion scheme over on-line commercial rights
February 23 – Real Madrid have become embroiled in a new potential tax evasion scandal following unconfirmed reports that it allegedly tried to keep part of the proceeds from the sale of a commercial rights with the help of two companies, possibly fictitious, based in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands.
Gravina returned as FIGC boss as Italy plans to host Euro 2020 kick-off, with fans
February 23 – Gabriele Gravina was re-elected as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Monday and will now lead the federation until 2024, having amassed 73.45% of the votes.
UK government scotches report it has offered to host Euro2020
February 22 – Britain’ health secretary Matt Hancock has shot down a newspaper report which suggested the UK may be ready to host next summer’s delayed Euro 2020.
Mali and RB Salzburg pair crash after altitude sickness pills land then with a doping ban
February 22 – Two Mali players with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg have been handed three-month doping suspensions.
FIFA’s Wenger warns UEFA it could kill its Champions League with new format plans
February 19 – Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Development since the end of 2019, has hit out at proposals to overhaul the Champions League, warning that fans will be turned off if the competition is watered down.
European Leagues’ Olsson warns new CL format could ‘cannibalise’ domestic TV deals
February 19 – The president of the European Leagues Lars-Christer Olsson (pictured) has sounded a warning about the proposed Swiss model for the Champions League, saying extra European fixtures will ‘cannibalise’ domestic TV rights across the continent.
Bundesliga and Premier League slam Super League project; PL eager for fan return
February 19 – English Premier League chief executive Richard Masters (pictured) and his Bundesliga counterpart Christian Seifert have both opposed the much-rumoured plans to form a breakaway European super league to replace the Champions League.
Fan worshipped Buffon fined for blasphemy
February 19 – Veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been fined €5,000 by the Italian Football Federation for blasphemy.
Players’ union says any new Champions League format must prioritise player health
February 18 – The international men’s players union FIFpro says ongoing discussions about the future of UEFA competitions with a view to preventing a breakaway Super League must include safeguards to protect the workload placed on its members.
OL’s Aulas calls on players to share the pain with 25% pay cut, offset by a share deal
February 18 – Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas has asked his players to take a pay cut in a bid to mitigate the financial fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and loss of Ligue 1 TV rights revenue.
OM boss Eyraud says Ligue1 must reform to face post-Covid realities
February 18 – Olympique de Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud (pictured) has said Ligue 1 is “no longer sustainable” and should shrink to confront a post-coronavirus reality.
Laporta says Messi is crucial to Barca’s playing and financial future
February 18 – Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has vowed to do all he can to keep Lionel Messi at the club despite another humiliating night in the Champions League.
Ukraine wait for CAS verdict over Swiss decision that cost its top tier status
February 17 – Ukraine’s appeal against UEFA’s decision to award Switzerland a 3-0 Nations League walkover win in November as a result of positive Covid-19 tests in the Ukrainian camp has been heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). But there is no update on any verdict.
Inter, Atletico, Man City and OL to win. Juve, Real Madrid, PSG and Liverpool toppled
February 17 – A new statistical model calculating the number of points clubs will have at the end of the season is predicting that the domestic long reigns of Juventus, PSG and Barca/Real Madrid will be over this season.