De Bruyne’s agent stays in jail as Belgian police follow the transfer money trail
September 3 – Kevin De Bruyne’s agent Patrick De Koster (pictured left) is to remain in custody after his formal arrest last Friday.
Europe
UEFA cuts Super Cup deal with Hungarians to allow fans to beat the border block
September 3 – The European Super Cup in Budapest between Bayern Munich and Seville later this month, under threat because of Hungary closing its borders to foreigners, looks like it is going ahead as planned.
Le Graet says France should follow UEFA’s Covid protocols and not stop play so quickly
September 3 – French FA president Noel Le Graet (pictured) says he has no regrets about prematurely closing down last season’s domestic league campaign despite other European countries managing to complete theirs.
European Super Cup snags as Hungary shuts borders to foreigners
September 3 – Yet another fixture head-ache has emerged for UEFA which is discussing entry requirements with the Hungarian authorities for this month’s European Super Cup following the country’s decision to close its borders to curb a rise in coronavirus cases.
RB Leipzig get cleared to let 8,400 fans in for September start
September 2 – RB Leipzig have received permission to allow 8,400 fans into their stadium for their opening game of the new league season next month, the first Bundesliga club to be given the green light to do so in the wake of Covid-19.
Charlton set for another new owner as court rules there is no time to wait for Elliott
September 2 – Businessman Paul Elliott has had his takeover attempt thwarted after he was denied an injunction to prevent the sale of Charlton to any other party, meaning a takeover by US-based Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard could be imminent.
UEFA puts in place Covid cancellation protocols for international matches this week
September 1 – UEFA has revealed details of new Covid-19 protocols ahead of the Nations League kicking off this week, warning that teams could have to forfeit games if their squads are disrupted by Covid-19.
Burton’s bubble burst by bug ban
By Andrew Warshaw
September 1 – Amidst all the talk of Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona and possibly signing for Manchester City for an eye-watering sum of money, spare a thought for Burton Park Wanderers as far down the other end of the footballing financial scale as you can get.
Belgian police detain De Bruyne’s agent De Koster
August 28 – Belgium’s federal prosecutor has launched an investigation into Kevin De Bruyne’s agent, Patrick De Koster (pictured left), who was detained on Thursday and spent the night in jail.
Maguire feared for life as Greek police beat him saying they would end his career
August 28 – Manchester United captain Harry Maguire says he feared for his life and thought he might never play again after being arrested by plain clothes police officers following a much-publicised fracas on the Greek island of Mykonos.
Swedes crack gates open fractionally to allow 500 in for Allsvenskan restart
August 28 – Swedish football fans will be allowed to attend domestic matches again after local health authorities green-lighted a government proposal to cap attendance at public events at 500.
Coronavirus: Sharp rise in cases keeps German stadia closed to year end
August 28 – Despite some countries making tentative plans for a gradual return of fans, the Bundesliga looks set to remain largely behind closed doors until at least the start of next year after German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that a ban on large events will be extended from October 31 to December 31.
Maguire conviction annulled as appeal pushes retrial to higher Greek court
August 27 – Manchester United captain Harry Maguire will get a full retrial in a more senior Greek court after the appeal his lawyers lodged was accepted. The appeal nullifies Maguire’s suspended jail sentence of 21 months and 10 days handed down by a lower Greek court on Tuesday.
Celtic crash out of Champions League with loss to Ferencvaros
August 27 – Glasgow Celtic crashed out of the Champions League following a dramatic 1-2 defeat at the hands of Hungarian championss Ferencvaros. It was the Scottish club’s earliest exit in the competition in 15 years.
Messi tells Barca formally he wants out. Man City look favourites, if he can escape
By Samindra Kunti
August 26 – Lionel Messi has done what previously would have been considered unthinkable. The greatest player of his generation has told his club FC Barcelona that he wants to leave. On Tuesday, he handed in his transfer request, dealing an existential blow to the Catalan giants.