Covid outbreak now hits Man City women’s team
January 5 – Four of Manchester City women’s team have tested positive for the coronavirus, continuing the club’s covid-19 woes.
Europe
Sportradar and UEFA Foundation for Children mark safeguarding partnership
January 5 – The UEFA Foundation for Children and Sportradar Intelligence & Investigation Services are marking a three-year safeguarding partnership that reinforces the work carried out by the foundation.
Ceferin slams Perez’s short term European Super League thinking
December 30 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has denounced Real Madrid boss Florentino Perez’s persistent backing for a breakaway European Super League saying the Spaniard “is only interested in today, not what tomorrow will be.”
Bad bet: Atletico and England star Trippier gets 13-match worldwide ban
December 30 – England and Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier has been given a 10-week worldwide ban and fined £70,000 after an English Football Association panel found he broke betting rules.
Barca presidential hopeful Farre, puts reuniting Messi and Neymar on his agenda
December 23 – Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Farre says he plans to try and re-unite Lionel Messi and Neymar if he lands the job in succession to Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Real Madrid’s Perez says a breakaway European Super League is evolution
December 22 – Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (pictured) has once again provocatively called for the formation of a European Super League.
Mönchengladbach’s Thuram banned for spitting in opponent’s face
December 22 – Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram has been banned for five games for spitting in the face of a Hoffenheim opponent in the Bundesliga.
EFL pushes League Cup final back to April in hope more fans can attend
December 22 – The EFL has pushed its League Cup final back from February to April in the hope that more fans will be able to attend its Wembley showpiece event in London.
Failed Mediapro partnership strikes financial fear into hearts of French club football
December 21 – French football is still counting the cost of the loss of the Mediapro broadcast deal that has plunged a raft of clubs, already hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, into further financial disarray.
Stiles had brain damage from repeated heading of the ball, say medics
December 21 – With the debate over both concussion and dementia intensifying, the family of former England 1966 World Cup-winning midfielder Nobby Stiles say they have been told his brain was severely damaged by repeated heading of the ball.
Covid concerns force UEFA to cancel U-17 men and women Euros set for May 2021
December 18 – The 2021 men’s and women’s U-17 European Championships have been cancelled by UEFA due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
LaLiga takes its digital business to market with €450m valuation
December 16 – Spain’s LaLiga is hiving off its digital product into a new company which it has valued at €450 million and is now being touted to private equity investors.
UEFA warms to Green Deal sign-up and focus on carbon cutting Euro 2024
December 17 – UEFA and president Aleksander Ceferin have formally confirmed they will support the newly launched European climate pact.
Basque breakaway bid looks for UEFA and FIFA recognition
December 16 – The Basque Football Federation has applied to FIFA and UEFA to be officially recognised so the regional team can compete in international competition.
PSG favourites to pick up Messi’s £52m wages
December 16 – Paris Saint-Germain are reported to be growing increasingly confident of landing Lionel Messi on a free transfer next summer because of his wage demands at Barcelona whose finances have taken a massive hit as a result of the effects of coronavirus.