Bundesliga boss says fans in stadia now unlikely before next season
January 19 – The German Bundesliga, a league renowned for its fan culture, doesn’t expect to see supporters return to stadiums until the 2021/22 season.
Europe
Barca election postponed as covid-lockdown prevents voters polling
January 18 – Barcelona’s eagerly awaited and intensely contested presidential election scheduled for January 24 has been postponed due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Reims win €4.7m in damages for 2015-16 relegation
January 18 – In a case dating back to the 2015-2016 season, the French Football Federation (FFF) has been ordered to pay Ligue 1 Reims €4.78 million by a local court over a relegation debacle that occurred in 2015-16.
England out in the cold as UEFA lines up its candidates for FIFA positions
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – English influence will remain absent from the top table of FIFA for at least two years as a result of the fallout over Greg Clarke’s resignation as FA chairman back in November.
Centralised Champions League final format could return, says Rummenigge
January 15 – Bayern Munich boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says UEFA are considering making changes to the Champions League’s structure to make it more compelling to fans and sponsors.
Trippier’s betting fraud ban starts to look pointless after FIFA intervention
January 15 – The English Football Association has failed in an attempt to revise the dates of international defender Kieran Trippier’s ban for breaching betting rules.
Euro 2020 12-city plan looks shaky as Covid spread sparks debate on venue reduction
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – Having already been postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, doubts are beginning to set in as to whether Euro 2020 can be played under its current 12-venue, pan-Continental format next summer.
Candidates line up for April election to UEFA’s top table
January 14 – Nine candidates will stand for eight seats in the UEFA executive committee, with Russia relinquishing their spot in the FIFA Council, the European governing body announced on Thursday.
England medical chief reinforces ‘no contact’ message
January 14 – England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam, who has emerged as the public’s most respected Covid expert with his clear-thinking, independent and sensible views in contrast to the government’s mixed messages, is the latest figure to warn footballers to avoid over-celebrating goals.
French league crisis deepens as Canal+ hands rights back saying league is ‘devalued’
January 13 – In another major blow to French football, broadcaster Canal+ will return the Ligue 1 media rights to the LFP, demanding a new tender is issued.
France’s LFP opens club talks with call to cut salaries by 30%
January 12 – French football has been in talks to reduce players’ salaries in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 in a bid to mitigate the financial fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and the loss of the Mediapro media rights contract.
UEFA beefs up anti-doping regulations and whistle-blower protection
January 12 – UEFA has issued new anti-doping regulations including greater flexibility in the sanctioning process for violations and new provisions to protect whistle-blowers, the European governing body announced on Tuesday.
Back to the future: Laporta leads race for Barcelona presidency
January 12 – With battle lines drawn, Joan Laporta (pictured) looks set to become Barcelona president for the second time though his main rival says he would be a throwback to the past rather than a voice for the future.
From FA Cup giant killing to battle of the giants. Man Utd and Liverpool drawn together
January 12 – Manchester United will take on arch-rivals Liverpool in a mouth-watering heavyweight showdown in the fourth round of the FA Cup later this month that will be keenly followed by their legions of fans across the globe.
Hoppe springs eternal: American hat-trick hero saves Schalke’s losing record blushes
January 11 – Schalke 04 have avoided great embarrassment. On Saturday, the club from Gelsenkirchen finally picked up three points after 30 Bundesliga games without a win, leaving the all-time German winless record in the hands of Tasmania Berlin.