Jean-Claude Hamel, legendary president of Auxerre, dies
By David Owen
June 3 – Jean-Claude Hamel, president of AJ Auxerre for 46 years until 2009, has died at the age of 90.
Europe
QPR boss Hoos fury with EFL over decision-making to restart Championship
June 3 – Plans to resume England’s second-tier Championship on or around June 20 have been condemned by the boss of Queens Park Rangers who says he is “stunned” and “appalled” by the decision.
Serie A looks for route to part-open stadia to fans in July
June 2 – In an unexpected development, the head of the Italian football federation (FIGC) Gabriele Gravina says limited numbers of fans could be allowed back into Serie A grounds as early as July – even though the league hasn’t even resumed yet.
Dutch petition FIFA for transfer window break to align close with big buying leagues
June 2 – The Dutch FA have asked FIFA for flexibility over their transfer window which won’t align with the majority of European player markets this summer.
Sancho carded for removing shirt, Floyd protest message under review, says DFB
June 2 – Borussia Dortmund’s England international winger Jadon Sancho was not booked for his ‘Justice for George Floyd’ protest but because he removed his shirt, the German Football Association (DFB) has clarified.
FC Midtjylland score with drive-in but fail to net in the match
June 2 – Weeks after announcing a novel scheme for allowing fans to watch games, Danish Superliga leaders FC Midtjylland stuck to their word and organised a movie-style Drive-In to compensate for fixtures played behind closed doors as a result of Covid-19.
#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd: Sancho, Thuram and McKennie make statements
June 1 – England international Jadon Sancho was among a number of players adding their voice at the weekend to protest against the death of George Floyd, the unarmed African-American whose death in Minneapolis when a police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes sparked nationwide rioting.
‘Shot in the foot’: Union boss blames French politicians for €600m mistake
June 1 – The head of the body representing top-flight players in France says it is highly unlikely the government will change its mind and allow the domestic season to resume despite fierce protests from clubs and fans like.
LaLiga to reopen with seven consecutive days of TV league action
June 1 – Barcelona will resume their bid to defend the Spanish title on Saturday June 13 at Real Mallorca when La Liga gets under way again after a three-month pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kompany invests as Anderlecht reshuffles its boardroom pack
By Samindra Kunti
May 29 – Anderlecht have reshuffled their boardroom yet again in a bid to halt the club’s dramatic, recent slide. Wouter Vandenhaute steps in as Anderlecht’s new chairman and with former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany becoming an investor in the club.
Playing for Hearts and minds. Ann won’t Budge on rationale for expanding Scottish top tiers
May 29 – Scotland’s 42 senior clubs are in discussions about a temporary revamp that envisages three enlarged divisions of 14 clubs each for the next two years to replace the current 12-10-10-10 version.
Italy to kick off with Coppa Italia with Serie A back in action June 29
May 29 – Italy’s Serie A will return on June 29 in the country hit hardest in Europe in the early weeks of the Covid-19 outbreak.
French revolution gathers pace over decision to end season
May 29 – With Europe’s major leagues all stepping up plans to restart their seasons in the coming weeks, the exception is France which has not been lost on the country’s influential daily sports paper l’Equipe.
RFEF agrees LaLiga can increase match days to finish season
May 28 – The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has given the green light for matches to be played on Mondays and Fridays when La Liga returns in order to allow the season to finish.
French federation turns down LFP proposal to expand Ligue 2
May 28 – French football bosses have rejected the LFP’s proposal to expand Ligue 2 from 20 to 22 clubs for the 2020/21 season. As a result, Pau and Dunkerque will remain in the National, France’s third tier.