Europe
Ceferin anti cross-confed bids for 2030; slams Aubameyang banana incident as ‘a disaster’
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – The race to host the 2030 World Cup, still in its early stage, has taken a potentially important twist with UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin saying he would be against a cross-continental bid between, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
England to host Women’s Euro 2021
December 4 – UEFA has awarded the hosting of the Women’s Euro 2021 to England who were the only bidders for the tournament that was last held in France in 2017.
Nations League finalists drawn; UEFA confirms VAR I coming for Champion League last 16
December 3 – England will play the Netherlands and hosts Portugal take on Switzerland in the semi-final of the inaugural Nations League following the draw made today.
UEFA expands European horizons with go-ahead for third club competition from 2021
December 3 – UEFA have confirmed plans for a ground-breaking third club competition to sit below the Champions League and Europa League from 2021.
2020 pot boiler: Netherlands draw Germany in Euro qualification group
December 3 – While there wasn’t quite a group of death, the Netherlands drew the short straw by being paired with Germany in qualification for the 2020 European Championship on Sunday.
FIFPro demands urgent investigation of Cypriot clubs injecting players
November 30 – The world players union FIFPro has called for an urgent inquiry into suspect medical treatment administered at several top-tier clubs in Cyprus.
Who wants some? Boca vs River Plate Copa Libertadores final to be moved outside Argentina
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – In an unprecedented step that further tarnishes the reputation of one of the most eagerly awaited club fixtures of the season and the biggest in South America, Conmebol has decided to move the twice postponed Copa Libertadores final second leg between River Plate and Boca Juniors to a neutral venue outside of Argentina.
Dortmund bus bomber handed 14-year jail term
November 28 – The man who bombed the Borussia Dortmund team bus last season for the bizarre reason of trying to make money on the club’s shares crashing has been handed a 14- year jail sentence for attempted murder.
AEK fans heap more disgrace on Greek football, leaving Ajax fans battered and bloodied
November 28 – Just as Greek football is battling to re-instil confidence in its domestic game, violent AEK fans have heaped new disgrace on the Greek game.
Russian tensions forces UEFA to move Vorskla Poltava vs Arsenal to safer haven of Kiev
November 28 – The escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine off the coast of Crimea have spilled over into football with UEFA deciding to relocate Arsenal’s Europa League tie against FC Vorskla Poltava on Thursday to Kiev following the introduction of martial law in some parts of Ukraine.
Russian roulette in Monaco? Rybolovlev celebrates his birthday with three 3 points
By Paul Nicholson
November 27 – Sometimes life can really get you down. Arrest in your tax haven home, suspicion you have been turned over to the tune of $1 billion in a series of fraudulent art deals, and seeing the football club you rescued from bankruptcy sitting next to bottom of a league you were at the top of a year ago would be enough to make even the most happy clappy Russian billionaire a little fed up.
Holland’s Eredivisie blazes revenue solidarity trail sharing UEFA money deeper into league
By Paul Nicholson
November 23 – Dutch clubs in the Eredivisie have agreed a package of reform measures that will increase the revenue distribution amongst its clubs and a requirement for them to invest deeper in youth training programmes.
Sevim Ebeoglu, a symbol of unified Cypriot football’s past, dies aged 87
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – One of Cyprus’ most iconic and celebrated players, Sevim Ebeoglu, who perhaps more than anyone epitomised what it would have meant for football on both sides of the divided island to be re-integrated, has died at the age of 87.
Russia’s Mutko keeping a foot in the door at RFU
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – Evidence that Vitaly Mutko is back in favour within the Russian Football Union (RFU) hierarchy has been given further credence by the fact that he was present at the RFU’s executive committee meeting this week, having stepped aside from his role as president late last year.