Liverpool and Sevilla UEFA sanctions after Europa Cup final ‘disturbances’
May 23 – UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Liverpool and Sevilla for “crowd disturbances” at last week’s Europa League final.
Europe
England and France open with wins in Toulon as nations search for stars
May 20 – With league seasons over in Europe and Cup finals being played, attention is rapidly switching to the big international tournaments of the 2016 Euros, Copa America Centenario and the Olympic Games in Rio. One tournament that kicked off in Euros host nation France this week was the 2016 Toulon Tournament.
English Football League proposes revamp with fifth professional division
May 20 – The biggest shake-up in the English professional football pyramid since the Premier League was set up in 1992 has been proposed, with a new fifth division of 20 clubs from 2019-20.
Van Praag says he will return UEFA to ‘cohesive unit’ but won’t stay long
By Andrew Warshaw
May 19 – Dutch football chief Michael van Praag says he is running for UEFA president to put the organisation back on an even keel before handing over to someone younger.
Troubled Twente hit with relegation for breaking money rules
By Samindra Kunti
May 19 – The Dutch FA, the KNVB, has relegated FC Twente from the domestic top flight, the Eredivisie, as punishment for breaching financial regulations. Twente will, however, maintain their professional license.
UEFA treads warily with integration of Kosovo into football family
May 19 – UEFA are to set up a special task force to determine how to accommodate Kosovo in their various competitions. Kosovo were accepted as a full member of FIFA last Friday, a week after being admitted to UEFA despite fierce opposition from Serbia.
Ticket touts win big in Basel as Sevilla secure Europa League hat-trick
By Andrew Warshaw
May 19 – UEFA have defended the choice of Basel’s St Jacob stadium for Wednesday’s Europa League final between Liverpool and Sevilla.
UEFA sets election date with van Praag early favourite for presidency
By Andrew Warshaw
May 18 – Michel Platini’s successor as UEFA president will be elected on September 14, with veteran Dutch FA chief Michael van Praag already in the frame.
Villar Llona facing lawsuit in Spain as challenges to his rule mount
By Paul Nicholson
May 18 – Angel Villar Llona (pictured), Spain’s controversial FIFA vice-president and the man currently in charge at UEFA following the sanctioning of Michel Platini, is facing legal action at home from rival candidate for the Spainish federation presidency Miguel Angel Galan.
Brugge top Anderlecht to win Belgian title after 11-year wait
By Samindra Kunti
May 17 – Club Brugge have been crowned Belgian champions for the first time since 2005 after hammering arch-rivals Anderlecht 4-0 with two match days to spare.
Czechs ban boozed up match officials
May 13 – Two officials who appeared to be drunk during a top-flight domestic game in the Czech Republic, widely seen since on YouTube, have been banned by their national federation.
Berlusconi closes in on Chinese sale for AC Milan; Villa seek a saviour
By Paul Nicholson
May 11 – The Berlusconi family, owners of Italy’s AC Milan, have opened exclusive talks for the sale of a majority stake in the club to a group of Chinese investors.
Romanians suspend ambulance firm as Ekeng autopsy continues
May 10 – Romania’s interior ministry has suspended the licence of a private ambulance company that transported Dinamo Bucharest and Cameroon midfielder Patrick Ekeng to hospital after he collapsed during a match last Friday and died shortly afterwards.
Platini forced out of UEFA and banned from running for FIFA in 2019
By Andrew Warshaw
May 8 – European football is looking for a new leader after Michel Platini announced he was stepping down as UEFA president, albeit under protest, after losing his fight to clear his name for breaching FIFA’s ethics rules.
Greek Cup final postponed amid new fears over fan violence
By Matt Scott
May 9 – The Greek Football Cup final scheduled for Saturday was postponed by the government amid safety fears for the match.