Alba’s return for Spain fortifies title ambition
June 14 – Spain oozed confidence ahead of their semi-final against Italy with Champions League winner Rodri reinforcing the squad and Jordi Alba returning.
Europe
Netherlands chase home title, Croatia hunt first major championship
By Samindra Kunti in Rotterdam
June 13 – On Wednesday, hosts the Netherlands will take on Croatia in the first semi-final of the Nations League Final Four,.
Modric ready for more Croatian big nights but Real Madrid future in the balance
June 13 – Luka Modric, the 37-year-old Croatian footballer, has expressed his commitment to continue playing for Croatia as long as he remains valuable to the team. His future at Real Madrid remains up in the air.
Mbappé tells PSG that this season will be his last as opts out of one-season renewal
June 13 – Europe’s leading clubs have been on high alert for a potential bidding war following Kylian Mbappé’s shock decision to quit Paris St-Germain rather than extend his contract.
Bordeaux lose points and promotion after LFP rules against club over fan attack
June 13 – Girondins de Bordeaux’s promotion bid back to France’s top flight has been dashed after their suspended final home league match, halted when a fan attacked a Rodez player, was declared a defeat.
Van Dijk says he is fit and ready as Dutch confident ahead of Nations League opener
June 13 – Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has dismissed fitness concerns ahead of the Nations League final four as the Dutch go in search of a first international prize since Euro 88.
US investor Maciek Kaminski buys Belgium’s KV Kortrijk from Vincent Tan
June 13 – Following weeks of speculation, US property tycoon Maciek Kaminski (pictured) has acquired Belgian club side KV Kortrijk for €17.5 million from Malaysia’s Vincent Tan.
UEFA on track with all sponsorship sold out; Deutsche Bahn unveiled as national sponsor
June 13 – Rail network Deutsche Bahn has signed as the first national partner of Euro 2024 with the promise of eco-friendly travel by train, at reduced prices, to the ten tournament venues in Germany.
Le Graet consigned to history as Diallo takes French FA presidency with a ‘uniting’ 91% vote
June 12 – Philippe Diallo (pictured) has been elected as the new President of the French Football Federation (FFF), taking over a governing body with deep governance problems.
Former Italian PM, media mogul and AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi passes, aged 86
June 12 – Former AC Milan owner, media mogul and strongman of far-right Italian politics Silvio Berlusconi has passed away, aged 86.
Croatian stadium build continues with €20m interim home for Dinamo Zagreb
June 12 – Zagreb mayor Tomislav Tomašević has announced the construction of what he said will be the most modern stadium in Croatia.
Rodri’s strike secures Man City’s treble against a stubborn Inter Milan
By Samindra Kunti in Istanbul
June 11 – Manchester City and their Abu Dhabi owners claimed their first European Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory against Inter Milan to complete a historic treble. Midfielder Rodri scored the winning goal in the 68th minute in a final shorn of quality and marred by operational issues with fans struggling to access and exit the venue.
Loadsamoney vs Haemorrhaging money. Can City deliver a money-can-buy experience?
By Samindra Kunti in Istanbul
June 9 – Chasing a treble, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will be favourites in the Champions League final against Inter Milan after a stellar season, a win representing the apotheosis of Abu Dhabi’s investment in the game and sports-washing project.
Hull’s Turkish owner Illicali buys Ireland’s Shelbourne FC
June 9 – Turkish media tycoon Acun Ilicali (pictured), owner of Hull City in the English Championship, bought a majority shareholding in Shelbourne FC, one of the oldest clubs in the Irish Premier League.
UEFA’s FootbALL launch to drive social change and sustainability across the game
June 9 – Highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in European football, UEFA has launched the FootbALL programme which is designed to help drive positive social change.