Rangers’ €7,000 paper balls-up; Celtic players get over incited
July 18 – Rangers have been fined €7,000 by UEFA for throwing balls of paper on to the pitch during their Europa League tie against Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn.
Europe
Spanish FA president Villar arrested in anti-corruption swoop on RFEF headquarters
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – Who says the crisis at FIFA is over? Angel Maria Villar, FIFA’s senior vice-president and one of the last surviving members of the organisation’s old guard, has been sensationally arrested in his native Spain along with his son in an anti-corruption raid carried out by Spanish authorities.
Ajax fans gather to show support for Nouri
July 17 – In a commendable show of support, hundreds of Ajax fans staged an emotional rally at the weekend outside the family home of Abdelhak Nouri, the midfielder who tragically suffered brain damage after collapsing in a friendly match.
Gunning for an EU deal. Barnier wooed with Arsenal shirt
July 14 – A lighthearted example of sport and politics mixing saw Britain’s opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn bringing an unusual gift to the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier when the pair met for talks this week.
Ajax’s Nouri out of coma but brain damage is irreparable
July 14 – The Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri, who collapsed during a recent pre-season friendly, has suffered serious and permanent brain damage, the club have announced.
Relegated Bastia lose appeal and drop another division to third tier
July 12 – French club Bastia have failed in their appeal against relegation to the French third division, having already been demoted once on financial grounds after finishing bottom of Ligue 1.
Portuguese prosecutors crack down on politicians accepting gifts to Euro 2016 finals
By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – Three high-ranking Portuguese politicians have resigned “to avoid harming the government” amid an investigation into allegations that they took all-expenses-paid trips to Euro 2016 from sponsors of the national team.
Ajax’s Nouri is out of danger after heart attack in Werder Bremen friendly
July 10 – Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri is “out of danger” but remains in intensive care after collapsing during a pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen, the latest case highlighting the dangers of cardiac arrest amongst professional footballers.
UEFA report blows up dangers of pyrotechnics at 25% of European club games
July 4 – An independent study commissioned by UEFA and Football Supporters Europe has highlighted the health and safety risks of letting off flares and other pyrotechnics in stadiums.
WARNING: paper cuts can be dangerous in Europe. Just ask Rangers fans
July 3 – Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers after objects were allegedly thrown during their return to European football after a six-year absence.
Linard takes over from De Keersmacker in Belgium and makes stadium issue a priority
June 27 – Gérard Linard (pictured), the new chairman of the Belgian Football Association (KBVB), wasted no time criticising his predecessor Francois De Keersmaecker, saying that the federation needs to end its current malaise and modernise.
Chinese U20s set to play in German fourth division
By Samindra Kunti
June 23 – In perhaps the biggest European-focussed step by China’s football sector to date, next season could see China’s national U20’s team play in the German fourth division.
Red Bull’s Salzburg and Leipzig given wings to enter UEFA Champions League
June 21 – Both RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg have been given the go ahead to participate in the UEFA Champions League, having restructured their relationships with the Austrian Red Bull energy drinks company to overcome the regulatory prohibition on common ownership of clubs.
UEFA partner Leaders to promote Women’s game via Generation XX Series
June 21 – European governing body UEFA has partnered with conference organiser Leaders for the Generation XX Series to promote dialogue and profile of the women’s game.
Bulgaria’s CSKA-Sofia loses at CAS but remains in Europa League, for now
June 18 – The on-going confusion and controversy around Bulgaria CSKA-Sofia shows little sign of ending as the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) rejected an urgent request to suspend UEFA from, potentially, ruling the club cannot compete in the upcoming Europa Cup.