UEFA kicks off packed UCL schedule with Man Utd at PSG and Bayern vs Atletico
October 20 – The group stages of the UEFA Champions League kick off tonight with a congested calendar and the threat of the coronavirus looming large.
Europe
Inter adds launches two new academy projects in Russia
October 20 – Serie A giants Internazionale have continued their international expansion of their Inter Academy programme with two new sites in Russia, in Moscow and Novosibirsk, being added to their existing hub in Saint Petersburg.
Spanish prosecutor demands €105m tax fraud fine for Las Palmas chief Ramirez
October 20 – Spanish prosecutors have requested a jail sentence of 21 and a half years and a €105 million fine for the president of tier two Las Palmas, Miguel Ángel Ramírez.
Joint German-Belgian-Dutch bid launched for Women’s World Cup 2027 hosting
October 19 – Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have unveiled plans for a joint bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Sweeping police raids pick up Czech FA’s Berbr on match-fixing charges
October 19 – The vice-president of the Czech Football Association has been taken into custody after becoming embroiled in a match-fixing scandal he vehemently denies.
Tempers fray as racist insults and bite accusations mar French Ligue 2 match
October 19 – A French second division player has denied biting the cheek of an opposition goalkeeper, declaring instead that he had been racially abused.
Ceferin warns English that unity is key to progress, whether financial or beating Covid
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin speaks exclusively with Paul Nicholson
October 16 – “In March when the pandemic started we united to save the season. Some didn’t understand that if we aren’t united we are weaker,” says UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. The record shows that the season was impressively saved, but with the rate of covid infections spiking, in some European countries alarmingly, there is a need for more saving.
Germany’s DFB counters fraud claim saying a deal had already been done with tax office
October 16 – The German football federation (DFB) has claimed that it has already paid 2019 taxes related to advertising income after reaching an agreement with tax authorities. Six DFB officials are currently under investigation for tax evasion.
EFL emphasises ‘unity’ as it turns down Premier League’s £50m covid bail-out
By Paul Nicholson
October 16 – English Football League (EFL) clubs have rejected the £50 million offer for financial support from the Premier League following the collapse of the ‘Big Picture Project’ proposal that would have seen them receive a £250 million covid bail out.
Neville and Bernstein lead call for independent football regulator in England
October 16 – A group including former FA chairman David Bernstein, former England defender Gary Neville (pictured), former FA executive David Davies and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham have called for government to intervene in the game and set up an independent regulator.
Denmark dump England, Portugal win without Ronaldo, Italy pay tribute in Bergamo
October 15 – Christian Eriksen’s penalty on his 100th appearance for Denmark earned his side a 1-0 upset win over England in their Nations League clash at Wembley on Wednesday as the hosts ended up with nine men.
Napoli lose four points for their covid-excuse no-show at Juve
October 15 – Napoli have been handed a 3-0 defeat by Italian football authorities and docked one point for not showing up for their high-profile Serie A match at Juventus because of Covid-19 positive cases.
Ceferin plans for fans at Euros, but contingency to drop number of host cities exists
October 24 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the Euro finals, postponed until 2021 because of Covid-19, could be played with fans in stadiums across Europe but admits other scenarios are being explored.
Positive test rules Ronaldo out of Sweden game and Juve’s Champions League openers
October 14 – Cristiano Ronaldo has become the latest player to test positive for the coronavirus. The Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement on Tuesday, saying that Ronaldo is “well, without symptoms, and in isolation.”
Macclesfield down but not out as Smethurst buys assets and Savage joins board
October 14 – At last positive news for Macclesfield Town who were relegated from the EFL’s leagues last season via a points deduction and were yesterday expelled from the fifth tier National League.