UCL giantkillers: Faroe Islands’ Klaksvik stun Hungary’s Ferencváros
July 20 – The champions of the tiny Faroe Islands, Klaksvik, have made history by reaching the Champions League second qualifying round for the first time.
Europe
Cleared of rape charges, Mendy returns to France and signs for Lorient
July 20 – Former France international Benjamin Mendy has signed a two-year deal with French club Lorient on Wednesday, only days after being cleared of rape allegations.
Welcome to the USA. Wrexham open tour against Chelsea, Man Utd to come
July 19 – Wrexham, the unheralded Welsh side owned by American Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and globally recognised after the documentary series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, have gained even more notoriety.
Van der Sar out of intensive care
July 19 – Former Netherlands goalkeeper and ex-Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar is now out of intensive care after suffering bleeding around the brain.
FA study links repetitive heading to brain impairment in later life
July 18 – Researchers have found evidence suggesting that repetitive heading of balls during a professional football career is associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment in later life.
Bidders line up to host UEFA club competition finals in 2026 and 2027
July 18 – UEFA has reported that nine national associations have declared interest in hosting UEFA club competition finals in 2026 and 2027.
Ukraine call on FIFA and UEFA to take action over Crimean teams in Russian league
July 18 – Ukraine’s FA have sent an official letter to FIFA and UEFA urging them to take action over two Crimean clubs being incorporated into the Russian domestic league.
UEFA aims to raise the bar with launch of Euro 2024 ESG strategy
July 18 – UEFA has published its ‘UEFA Euro 2024 environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy’ which it says aims to be a benchmark for sports event sustainability for German and European societies.
UEFA fines Barca and Man Utd in latest round of FFP sanctions
July 17 – Barcelona and Manchester United are among a group of clubs punished by UEFA in the latest round of Financial Fair Play sanctions.
Juve discuss exit from Real Madrid and Barca’s Super League cabal
July 14 – Juventus have begun the process of pulling out of the doomed European Super League project.
Dele Alli opens up on career, health and facing demons
July 14 – In recent seasons, few English football fans have not quite been able to grasp why Dele Alli, one of the game’s most naturally gifted players, appeared to be failing to fulfil his undoubted potential.
Mediapro accuses Spanish FA of on-going discrimination over VAR contract award
July 14 – The on-going dispute between the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and the Mediapro group has hit a new impasse with the media giant accusing the RFEF of ‘covertly’ awarding the federation’s VAR contract.
Bundesliga top global league of attendance figures, Premier League second
July 14 – The German Bundesliga with an average attendance of 43,000 across the league stadiums in the 2022/23 season, is the highest attended football league in the world.
Carney report calls for fully professional top two ties of English women’s club game
July 13 – Former England international Karen Carney has called for the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship – the two top divisions of the domestic game – to become fully professional in order to bring about the necessary investment.
Kick It Out study finds ‘alarming’ 65% increase in reported abuse
July 12 – The UK charity Kick It Out received a 65% rise in reported incidents of discriminatory behaviour during the 2022-23 domestic season, describing the increase as “alarming”.