Spanish media follow the political line and refuse to recognise Kosovo
April 1 – Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Kosovo on Wednesday may have gone ahead as planned but it was always likely to be embroiled in controversy.
Europe
UEFA stalls on Champions League reveal as big clubs and leagues battle for €$£
By Andrew Warshaw
March 31 – A decision on the future of the Champions League post-2024 has been delayed until next month with UEFA seemingly at loggerheads with Europe’s elite clubs and leagues over the precise nature of the deal.
Belgian boss Martinez calls for Euro 2020 squads to be expanded to up to 27 players
By Samindra Kunti in Leuven
March 31 – Belgium national team coach Roberto Martinez has voiced his support to expand national team squads to 26, 27 players for Euro 2020, calling it “a necessity”.
Swedish FA calls in Sportradar to boost fight against match-fixing
March 31 – Swedish football that has been rocked by match-fixing scandal and saw criminal charges issued against five individuals last December, has moved to beef up its integrity operations via an increased betting monitoring deal with Sportradar.
Belgians add voice to protests calling for change in Qatar and action against racism
March 31 – The world’s number one team Belgium wore t-shirts on Tuesday in support of migrant workers involved in building 2022 World Cup stadiums in Qatar, following other European sides in protesting for improved human rights in the Gulf state.
EFL secures £117m loan to fund Championship clubs through Covid
March 30 – The English Football League (EFL) has secured a £117 million loan fund for Championship clubs with MetLife Investment Management.
European Leagues beefs up management board
March 30 – The European Leagues, the umbrella body serving 35 competitions in 30 countries, has decided not to replace outgoing president Lars-Christer Olsson and instead to restructure its senior management.
Bubble burst: Wales send three home for covid rule breaking
March 30 – Three of the Welsh squad preparing for tonight’s all-important World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic have been sent home for breaching Covid-19 rules.
Lewandowski to miss Poland’s crucial 2022 in England
March 30 – Poland captain and world player of the year Robert Lewandowski will miss Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier with England due to knee injury, a potentially damaging blow to his country’s hopes of automatic qualification.
Greek 2004 hero Zagorakis to wear the armband on Hellenic FA board
March 29 – Euro 2004 hero Theodoros Zagorakis has been elected the new president of the Hellenic Football Association (EPO) for a four-year term.
Portuguese fury as officials rule out clear Ronaldo goal
March 29 – Where was VAR when it was most needed? Portuguese football, and in particular Cristiano Ronaldo, are still seething at an appalling referring decision that cost them a winning goal in their recent World Cup qualifier against Serbia.
UEFA drops jailed Vrbanović from committees
March 29 – UEFA has stepped in to remove Damir Vrbanović from its National Team Competitions Committee after the Croatian was imprisoned for fraud and tax evasion.
European Leagues, with 10 FA’s backing, say NO to ‘old boy’s club’ UCL qualification
By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – Ten European football associations have written to UEFA expressing serious misgivings about the future format of the Champions League post-2024.
Albania get security guarantees to enable England qualifier to go ahead
March 26 – England’s World Cup qualifier against Albania in Tirana on Sunday will go ahead after an issue over security was resolved.
Money talks: UEFA ready to revamp FFP rules as another 200 clubs fall into the red
By Samindra Kunti
March 25 – UEFA has said it could fundamentally overhaul the Financial Fair Play (FFP) system, owing to the economic reality of European football during the Covid-19 pandemic and the clubs’ need for liquidity. The governing body has began a consultation process with the industry’s relevant stakeholders.