UEFA’s youth tournaments attract bid from 17 countries to host
March 28 – Seventeen counties have expressed their interest in staging one of UEFA’s youth tournaments in 2021 and 2022. They must submit their bid dossiers by June 28.
Europe
PFA overhaul: Taylor, England’s highest paid union boss, steps down over £2m salary
March 28 – Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) which represents players in England and Wales, is to step down after 38 years amid heightened criticism of his reported £2 million annual salary, believed to be one of the highest in the world for a trade union official.
Belgium Pro League to launch new U21 club competition next season
March 28 – Belgian football will be getting an U-21 league in the 2019-2020 season following approval of the additional competition by the country’s Pro League.
ECA starts talks on revamp of Champions League for 2024
By Andrew Warshaw
March 27 – The head of the umbrella body of Europe’s clubs has confirmed that talks over revamping the Champions League’ beyond 2024 are underway with UEFA but remains tight-lipped over what any future format might look like.
UEFA set to cap away ticket prices to end clubs ripping off travelling supporters
March 27 – UEFA and Europe’s leading clubs want to move against inflated away tickets prices in European club competitions by introducing a price cap following a dispute between Manchester United and Barcelona ahead of their quarterfinals tie in the Champions League.
Irish serve volley of tennis balls to protest Delaney still being in play
March 27 – Irish fans disrupted a Euro 2020 qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch in protest at John Delaney’s continued role as a senior executive in the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
Europe’s clubs agree to boycott Infantino’s Club World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – Europe’s leading clubs today re-iterated that they will refuse to participate in Gianni Infantino’s revamped Club World Cup – but have not ruled out changing their minds for future editions if their needs are accommodated.
Schar concussion raises concerns over UEFA protocols and player safety
March 26 – A serious clash of heads involving Swiss international Fabian Schar has prompted calls for a UEFA investigation into why the defender was allowed to return to the pitch after being knocked unconscious last weekend in a Euro 2020 qualifier.
Cardiff to dispute any fee is due to Nantes on transfer of crash victim Sala
March 26 – The financial wrangling between Cardiff City and Nantes following the air crash that tragically killed Emiliano Sala continues to cast a dark shadow over the player’s untimely death.
Hazard and Hudson-Odoi’s fate in the balance as Chelsea wait for April hearing
March 26 – The date for Chelsea’s appeal against being slapped with a two-window transfer ban has been set for April 11 after FIFA rejected suspending the ban until the appeal process was completed.
Serie A sign Chinese co-operation pact, but no league games planned for country
March 25 – Italy’s football federation (FIGC) signed an agreement with the Chinese government on Sunday to develop footballing ties between the two countries but stopped short of agreeing to play Serie A matches there.
Delaney switches roles at FAI as unexplained €100k loan casts shadow
March 25 – Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive John Delaney has stepped aside from the role just 10 days before he was due to appear before a parliamentary committee to be questioned over a €100,000 loan he provided to his federation two years ago.
No appeasement in Cyprus as Turkish politico snubs peace match
March 22 – The president of Turkish-run Northern Cyprus, Mustafa Akinci, reportedly snubbed a landmark football match against Greek Cypriot opposition on the divided island this week because of a dispute over where it was played.
Ronaldo escapes ban for ‘crotch’ celebration but get €20k fine
March 22 – Cristiano Ronaldo has avoided a ban and instead been fined €20,000 euros by UEFA for his controversial goal celebration in Juventus’ win over Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, clearing him to play in the quarterfinals.
PSG accues Evra of homophobia over ‘we’re men speaking’ post after UCL exit to Man Utd
March 21 – Ex-Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has denied he is homophobic after Paris Saint-Germain condemned what they say were insulting remarks aimed at the club by the former France captain.