Naki claims shooting attempt was work of a Turkish death squad in Germany
January 9 – German prosecutors have opened an attempted murder investigation after a German-Turkish player known for his pro-Kurdish views was shot at on a motorway.
Europe
Dortmund bus bomber tells court he didn’t want to kill anyone
January 9 – The suspect in the attack on Borussia Dortmund’s team bus that led to last season’s Champions League quarter-final with AS Monaco being postponed for 24 hours has admitted to carrying out the attack but says he did not intend to kill or injure anyone.
Yorkshire wins nation status, and organises battle of giants against Isle of Man
January 8 – The non-FIFA Confederation of International Football Associations (CONIFA) ratified the membership of Yorkshire on Saturday. Yorkshire will play its first friendly against the Isle of Man in January.
Belgrade derby erupts again and Partizan and Red Star fans continue where they left off
January 2 – One of the fiercest rivalries in European club football, dubbed the “eternal derby”, has made headlines once again for all the wrong reasons.
Dortmund bus bomber charged with 28 counts of attempted murder
December 22 – A German-Russian of dual nationality suspected of trying to blow up the Borussia Dortmund team by detonating three bombs appeared in court on Thursday charged with 28 counts of attempted murder.
Good news, bad news for Juve owner Agnelli. Ban is lifted but fine increased
December 19 – Juventus president Andrea Agnelli’s one-year ban for his alleged role in the sale of match tickets to the club’s ultras fans has been lifted but his fine has been increased while the club has also been hit harder than its original sanction.
Cymru am byth, and back to business as usual after English-gate slur interlude
By Andrew Warshaw
December 15 – Talk about a storm in a teacup. Just a couple of days after opening an investigation against their chief executive Jonathan Ford for allegedly talking out of turn by saying the next Wales manager could be “foreign”, but “definitely not English”, the Football Association of Wales has decided to take no action.
Shock horror, Welsh not wild about English. And footballs are still round
By Andrew Warshaw
December 14 – The Football Association of Wales (FAW) faces accusations of hypocrisy over reportedly opening disciplinary action against its chief executive Jonathan Ford for saying the next Wales manager could be “foreign”, but “definitely not English”.
Real Madrid vs PSG, Juve vs Spurs headline Champions League last 16 match-ups
December 11 – Real Madrid will have to overcome one of the teams of the moment if they want to achieve a hattrick of Champions League crowns.
Turkish clubs protest Trump decision with ‘Jerusalem is our red line’ banners
By Mark Baber
December 11 – Turkish footballers and fans protested US President Trump’s controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, unfurling pro-Palestine banners at domestic football matches.
News analysis: Dragon fire and Scandi cold shoulder over Wembley’s Euro 2020 bonus
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – And then there were 12. If UEFA’s decision to drop Brussels as one of the 13 original hosts of Euro 2020 was widely anticipated, handing Wembley the four matches the Belgian capital would otherwise have staged is hard to justify in terms of what the tournament is supposed to stand for.
UEFA reveals seedings for inaugural Nations League draw
December 8 – UEFA has set the seedings for the inaugural Nations League draw on January 24 with Germany, Portugal, Belgium and Spain in Pot 1 of League A. England are in Pot 2 of the same league.
Premier League teams make mark on Champions League with 5 though to last 16
December 7 – Are English transfer fees at last paying off at European level after Premier League clubs made Champions League history?
Exclusive: Brussels set to lose Euro 2020 hosting, Stockholm poised to grab opening
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – Brussels looks set to stripped as a host city for Euro 2020 this week with Stockholm likely to be parachuted in as a replacement.
Čeferin pledges 1% of his salary to Mata’s Common Goal project
November 30 – UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has become the latest high profile football personality to pledge 1% of his salary to the Common Goal movement.