Germany to increase border checks for Euro 2024 to keep ‘violent criminals’ out
March 26 – Germany will carry out border controls at all its frontiers during this summer’s European Championship in June and July.
Europe
Turkish FA signs 4-year retail deal with 11teamsports Group
March 26 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has signed an exclusive four-year retail partnership with 11teamsports Group.
Traumatised Liverpool fan group wins UEFA compensation for 2022 UCL final chaos
March 25 – A group of Liverpool fans have been awarded compensation by UEFA after claiming they were injured or left with psychological trauma in chaotic scenes at the 2022 Champions League final.
Russia calls off Paraguay friendly after terrorist attack on concert hall
March 25 – Russia has called off its friendly against Paraguay scheduled for Moscow today due to the fatal terrorist attack outside the capital.
Euro 2024 play-offs reach boiling point with final three eliminators set for Summer slots
March 22 – In the battle for the last three slots at this summer’s European Championship, Iceland have eliminated Israel from the Euro 2024 playoffs to set up a showdown with Ukraine. Wales take on Poland in the Path A playoff final after brushing past Estonia 5-1.
WSL drives attendances for Women’s Football Weekend with CGI takeover of English landmarks
March 21 – The Women’s Super League is promoting its Women’s Football Weekend (March 23-24) through a series of visual takeovers of famous English landmarks.
Botev request for foreign refs for Bulgarian Cup semi-final denied
March 21 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has rejected the request from Botev Plovdiv to appoint foreign referees for their upcoming Bulgarian Cup semi-final matches against CSKA Sofia, to be played over two legs.
CSKA and Botev Plovdiv met in a league game last weekend, which Sofia won 4:0. After the match, Botev Plovdiv were critical of the refereeing.
A Botev statement said: “PFK Botev acknowledges its own mistakes that led to the unpleasant 4:0 loss,
Westerlo fire Rik de Mil over ‘convenient’ draw with Racing Genk
March 20 – Belgium club Westerlo have dismissed their manager Rik De Mil with immediate effect after widespread criticism over his team’s convenient draw with Racing Genk on the last day of the regular season.
Real Madrid file complaint against ref for ‘deliberately’ failing to report racist abuse
March 20 – Real Madrid have filed a complaint against the referee who took charge of the team’s recent 4-2 La Liga win at Osasuna for “the negligent drafting” of his report about the match following yet more abuse meted out to Vinicius Jr. by home supporters.
Bosnia renew ASA insurance sponsorship ahead of Euro 2024 qualifier play-offs
March 20 – The Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FSBIH) has signed a two-year sponsorship renewal with the country’s largest insurance company in the country, ASA Central Insurance. No value for the deal was given.
Government control: UK politicos pass new laws to set up English football regulator
March 19 – Legislation to establish an independent regulator to oversee English professional football was being introduced today in an effort to ensure financial sustainability as well as stopping teams from joining breakaway competitions like the European Super League.
Fenerbahce call EGM to vote on whether to pull out of Turkish Super Lig after violence at Trabzonspor
March 19 – Turkey’s Fenerbahçe have called an emergency meeting to vote on whether the club should withdraw from the Turkish Super Lig after the unprecedented scenes following the match with Trabzonspor on Sunday, when Trabzonspor fans attacked Fenerbahce players.
Germans launch anti-racism campaign head of Euro 2024
March 19 – The German football federation is targeting racism and discrimination with a new campaign ahead of this summer’s European Championship.
Kane limps back to England for friendlies
March 19 – England captain Harry Kane has linked up with the national squad despite sustaining an ankle injury during Bayern Munich’s recent match against Darmstadt.
Trabzonspor fans invade pitch and attack players after loss to Fenerbahce
March 18 – Turkish police have detained 12 people after fans of Trabzonspor invaded the pitch following the weekend home defeat to Fenerbahce and attacked visiting players, prompting immediate condemnation from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.