Giggs denies assault after police called to domestic incident
November 3 – Wales manager Ryan Giggs has denied an allegation of assault after British media reported he had been arrested following a disturbance at his home.
Europe
Serbian coach Tumbakovic refusing to take the fall for team’s late pitch entry
November 3 – Serbian coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic insists he will take charge of next week’s winner-takes-all Euro 2020 playoff at home to Scotland despite a one-match touchline ban handed out by UEFA for his team’s late arrival for a Nations League game last month.
English lockdown exposes vulnerable grassroots just as they were showing green shoots
By Andrew Warshaw
November 2 – While so-called “elite” football, deemed as the first six levels of the English game from the Premier League downwards, will still be able to continue during the upcoming second national lockdown caused by Covid-19 – albeit behind closed doors – those further down the pyramid face being cast into limbo, not for the first time.
High flying Rangers suspend two players for covid breaches
November 2 – Scottish giants Rangers have suspended two players for “breaching Covid regulations”.
England mourn Nobby Stiles as Man Utd teammate Bobby Charlton diagnosed with dementia
November 2 – England World Cup winner and former Manchester United stalwart Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia, according to British press reports, raising fresh concerns about the risk of neurodegenerative disorder from playing football.
French lockdown suspends Cup and amateur football. Pro leagues stay behind closed doors
October 30 – The French Cup competitions have been suspended until December 1 because of a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths in the country. The French Football Federation (FFF) has also halted all amateur football.
Barca presidential hopeful Font puts Guardiola and Messi at front of election manifesto
October 30 – Barcelona presidential frontrunner Victor Font (pictured) wants Pep Guardiola to return to the club and has “no doubt” Lionel Messi will stay despite his much-publicised fallout with previous Barca chief Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Belgians struggle to contain Covid as Mouscron postpone again put team into quarantine
October 30 – Mouscron vs STVV has been postponed in the Belgian Pro league after the Walloon club registered 21 coronavirus cases among its players.
Real Betis drives carbon-neutral environmental agenda with Forever Green platform
October 30 – LaLiga’s Real Betis has launched an environmental action programme aimed at encouraging businesses to work through football to contribute actively against climate change.
UEFA’s Gomes slams European Super League project as ‘selfish’ and ‘greedy’
October 29 – In a rare intervention, UEFA vice-president Fernando Gomes (pictured) has delivered a withering attack on the latest idea of a European Super League to challenge the status quo, saying it is the “exacerbation of selfishness and greed” at a time of global uncertainty.
Coronavirus: German fans locked out after Merkel orders a new lockdown
October 29 – German fans have had their gradual but brief return to watching matches in stadia ended following a new ban on attending Bundesliga matches ordered by the German government who are imposing a lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Spanish clubs given until end of season to end betting sponsorships
October 29 – Spanish authorities have told La Liga clubs that they have until the end of this season to cut ties with betting sponsors before new gambling regulation bans betting sponsorship is enforced next year.
Tusquets steps up at Barca as interim president
October 29 – Fresh from a morale-boosting Champions League win at Juventus on the field, off it Barcelona have named Carles Tusquets as their acting president in the wake of Josep Maria Bartomeu’s resignation in order to avoid facing a vote of no confidence.
Bartomeu quits Barca saying he has committed club to European Super League
By Andrew Warshaw
October 28 – Under pressure from legions of fans ahead of a vote of no-confidence, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu took the ultimate step and fell on his sword on Tuesday – but not before eye-catching revelations that he had accepted proposals for the club to join a European Super League.
Bundesliga’s Seifert says he will exit at end of 2021/22 season
October 28 – Christian Seifert, one of the most influential figures in European football administration, has announced he is stepping step down as the German Football League’s (DFL) chief executive when his contract expires in 2022.