Darmstadt rename stadium after fan who died of cancer
September 6 – Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt 98 have taken the unusual and laudable step of renaming their stadium in memory of a supporter who died in March from cancer at the age of 26.
Europe
Kosovo and its diaspora mark world debut with draw in Finland
September 6 – Valon Berisha became an overnight hero as he carved his name in footballing history by equalising for Kosovo in their first ever competitive international fixture on Monday.
Embattled Beckenbauer recovering from open heart surgery
September 6 – German legend Franz Beckenbauer is recovering in hospital after undergoing open heart bypass surgery – arranged before the FIFA ethics investigation surrounding the 2006 World Cup was announced.
Kosovo set for World Cup debut tonight but still wait for six player clearances
September 5 – With only hours to go before their historic first ever World Cup qualifying game, Kosovo were still waiting to discover whether six of their squad could switch nationality and play for them against Finland tonight.
Rummenigge endorses Champions League changes and European unity
September 5 – UEFA’s decision to amend the Champions League format from the 2018/19 season in favour of the most powerful clubs has, not surprisingly, been widely welcomed by Europe’s leading clubs.
Exclusive (2): van Praag warns Brexit issues need addressing immediately
By Andrew Warshaw
September 2 – Michael van Praag says European football’s landscape has changed significantly as a result of Brexit and that he is the only candidate for UEFA president with the knowledge and contacts to tackle the problems that lie ahead.
Dutch lose again as van Oostveen is latest to quit the coaching set up
September 2 – The crisis at the Dutch FA, the KNVB, has been exacerbated following the Netherlands’s 1-2 home defeat to Greece and the resignation of director of football Bert Van Oostveen. The KNVB was already struggling to complete its coaching staff.
Women’s UCL draw pits Chelsea against Wolfsburg, Bayern face Hibs
September 2 – With the focus of UEFA’s men Champions League turning to clubs naming their squads for the last group qualifying stages, the Women’s Champions league round of 32 draw was held throwing up a rematch of Wolfsburg vs Chelsea clash from last season.
Kosovo set for World Cup debut but waits for nation-switching players to be cleared
By Andrew Warshaw
September 1 – Of all the countries taking part in the forthcoming World Cup qualifying programme, none is surely anticipating the occasion with more relish than Kosovo who make their competitive international debut on Monday. Yet the Balkan state, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, still needs confirmation from FIFA whether a raft of players can switch nationality to join them.
Ceferin puts integrity issues at top of his UEFA agenda
September 1 – Aleksander Ceferin, the Slovenian hoping to succeed Michel Platini as the president of the UEFA in two weeks’ time, said he plans to clamp down on corruption, doping and match-fixing if he is elected.
Transfer spending set to top £1bn as record-breaking clubs scramble for last minute deals
August 31 – Premier League clubs look set to take their summer spending through the £1 billion barrier for the first time in what is expected to be the usual frenzied final day of business today before the window slams shut for six months.
Real to continue court battle against EC demand to pay €18.4m penalty
August 31 – Real Madrid say they will now continue with their appeal to European Court of Justice over the order to reimburse the Madrid City Council €18.4 million, despite losing their first appeal to the European Commission (EC).
Hungarians declare for Ceferin in UEFA presidential race
August 30 – The Hungarian Football Federation (HFF) is the latest UEFA member association to declare support for Slovenian Aleksander Ceferin in the presidential elections September 14 in Athens.
American McCourt steps up to bat in France with OM acquisition
By Samindra Kunti
August 30 – The former owner of Major League Baseball club the LA Dodgers, Frank McCourt (pictured), is set to become the new owner of French club Olympique de Marseille for a reported $44.68 million. The American has vowed to restore the club to their former glories.
Spurs have youngest squad in PL, but Leverkusen are youngest in Champions League
August 30 – Tottenham Hotspur have the youngest squad in the Premier League at an average age of 25.5, while Watford have the oldest average age at 29.8. But when it comes to the Champions League, Leverkusen (24.5), Monaco (24.9) and Lyon (25.2) are younger. Dortmund has the same average squad age as Spurs.