Reports: UEFA raided pre-Euros by Swiss police, employees detained
August 6 – Multiple employees of UEFA were detained just months before Euro 2020 and two were arrested for months in a suspected case of corruption.
Europe
Messi to leave Barca after club unable to fund his wage demands
August 6 – After 21 years and a relationship of romance, thrill and exultation, Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona will part ways “because of financial and structural obstacles”.
UEFA brings in VAR for remainder of Qatar 2022 qualifiers
August 5 – UEFA is bringing in video assistant referees (VAR) for all remaining European Qualifier matches for the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Dutch bring Van Gaal back to manage tricky Qatar 2022 qualifying campaign
August 5 – Louis van Gaal is back. For a third time, the Dutchman will take charge of the Netherlands, succeeding Frank de Boer following Oranje’s disappointing campaign at Euro 2020.
Women’s Euro ticket sales top 140k a year before kick off
August 4 – UEFA is reporting more than 140,000 tickets have already been sold for the Women’s Euro 2022, a record for the tournament which takes place in England next summer.
England in front of UEFA disciplinary over fan violence at Euro 2020 final
August 4 – After a long wait, UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the English FA over the appalling scenes that marred the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Dementia debate: balls should be sold with ‘heading health warning’ says researcher
August 3 – Debate over the possible link between repeated heading and suffering from dementia in later life has intensified with a leading researcher suggesting there should be an official health warning.
French clubs protest against Nancy and owner PMG’s flouting of transfer ban
August 3 – Eleven Ligue 2 clubs in France have denounced what they claim is unfair competition in terms of multi-ownership by the Pacific Media Group.
Barca, Real Madrid and Juve keep Super League agenda alive with help of Madrid court
By Andrew Warshaw
August 2 – Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid, the three rebel European Super League clubs who have refused to abandon the project, are celebrating winning what they claim is a potentially crucial legal battle with UEFA.
Belarus told to play 2022 qualifiers in Russia
August 1 – Belarus have been ordered to play their home World Cup qualifying matches against both Belgium and Wales on neutral territory in Russia because of travel sanctions against the country.
Davor Suker loses election as Kustic takes over as Croatia FA boss
July 30 – After nine years, Davor Sukor (pictured) has been removed as president of the Croatian FA, throwing into doubt his membership of UEFA’s executive committee.
England issues new guideline to limit ‘high force’ headers in training
July 29 – In a radical move, English football authorities are to limit the number of “high-force headers” among professional and amateur players to 10 per week in training as part of new guidelines.
Hillsborough disaster claims 97th victim
July 29 – Thirty-two years on, the Hillsborough disaster has claimed its 97th victim after a man left with life-changing injuries died at the age of 55.
Chievo Verona out of Serie B as Italians crack down on financial rules
July 28 – Italy’s Chievo Verona have been kicked out of Serie B for the 2021-22 season, effectively declaring them bankrupt, and their place will be taken by Cosenza, according to Italian news media.
Police drop Rooney blackmail complaint over hotel pictures
July 28 – A complaint of blackmail in relation to photographs of former England captain Wayne Rooney has been dropped by police.