UEFA relegates Ukraine as Swiss keep Nations League spot without winning a match
November 26 – Once again, the impact of coronavirus rather than anything on the field has dashed a country’s Nations League hopes.
Europe
World’s highest paid union boss to step down after 40 years at PFA
November 26 – Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, which represents players in England and Wales, is to stand down at the end of this season.
Laporta indicates he is ready to take lead at Barcelona again
November 25 – Joan Laporta, who led Barcelona between 2003 and 2010, is set to announce that he will run for a second term as club president in succession to the much-maligned Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned last month under pressure from players, supporters and fellow board members.
England to unlock gates for limited fan return from December 2
November 24 – Up to 4,000 spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor ‘elite’ sport, including Premier League football, in the lowest-risk Covid areas of England when a month-long national lockdown is lifted on December 2.
Norway warms to new league champions Bodø/Glimt from the Arctic Circle
November 24 – As footballing miracles go, not many can match the romantic achievement of new Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt who, as some reports put it, have “done a Leicester”.
Foul play in Switzerland? Ukraine claim game should and could have been played
By Paul Nicholson
November 20 – The Ukrainian FA (UAF) claims that its Nations League match against Switzerland should have been played and that the country had enough covid-free players to complete the fixture.
FAI probe sectarian video ‘nasty’ shown to Irish players pre-England friendly
November 20 – The Football Association of Ireland has launched an internal investigation into a controversial video message shown to the Ireland squad before last week’s friendly against England at Wembley.
UEFA’s children’s foundation releases €4.8m for new projects worldwide
November 20 – UEFA’s Foundation for Children has announced a raft of new projects on what is its fifth anniversary this year.
UEFA hands Nations League points to Romania after Norwegians forced told to stay home
November 19 – In a landmark move by UEFA that illustrates the increasingly thorny issue of Covid 19’s impact on international football, Romania have been handed a 3-0 win over Norway after their Nations League match was cancelled due to the Norwegian authorities banning the country’s national team from travelling to Bucharest.
Belgium, Italy, France and Spain head for Nations League finals in October
November 19 – Belgium and Italy completed the line-up for the Nations League’s final four on Wednesday with wins against Denmark and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively. They will meet Spain and France in October 2021 to decide the winner of the tournament’s second edition.
EFL backs return of 5 subs rule as fixtures and injury fears mount
November 19 – The English Football League (EFL) has voted to re-instate the five-substitute rule across all its three divisions from this Friday, heaping pressure on the Premier League to follow suit.
Joy for Wales and Czechs as Israel ruin Scots’ Nations League progression
November 19 – Wales secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League with a 3-1 win over 10-man Finland in Cardiff on Wednesday and virtually guaranteed themselves a 2022 World Cup play-off spot.
LaLiga salary cap cuts club spending by more than €600m with Barca hardest hit
By Samindra Kunti
November 18 – La Liga has acted to keep club spending under control by reduced salary caps across its two leagues by more than €600 million because of the coronavirus pandemic. Clubs are currently on track to overspend their income by €500 million.
Ukraine runs out of players as positive tests force Swiss game off
November 18 – The effect of Covid-19 on international football in Europe reached a new low on Tuesday when Ukraine’s Nations League game against Switzerland was called off just hours before kick-off after six Ukrainian players and one member of the coaching staff tested positive.
Loew point: Spain hit Germany for six
November 18 – Shell-shocked German head coach Joachim Loew was at a loss to explain his country’s biggest ever defeat in competitive football after they were thrashed 6-0 by Spain in the Nations League.