‘They think it’s all over’: it is, for now
September 25 – Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s team have finally got back to playing but the kissgate scandal remains very much in the foreground.
Europe
Belgium shock Netherlands as UEFA Women’s Nations League makes its bow
By Samindra Kunti in Leuven
September 24 – Belgium upset the Netherlands 2-1 to kick off their Nations League campaign on a high and throw Group A1 wide open.
Alexia Putellas says RFEF meeting will mark a watershed for women and sports in Spain
September 22 – The decision by Spain’s women players to terminate their boycott should be a “turning point” in her country for society as well as sport, says two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.
Kosovan FA says UEFA’s Romania sanction should be harder and sets a bad example
September 22 – The Football Association of Kosovo (FFK) has reacted strongly to UEFA’s decision to punish the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) with a fine of €52,000 and one match to be played in front of empty stands, saying the sanction should be greater.
In Flick’s footsteps. Germany put Nagelsmann in charge for home-hosted Euro 2024
September 22 – Less than two weeks after Hansi Flick’s departure, Germany have appointed Julian Nagelsmann as new manager to lead the national team until the European Championship on home soil.
Almost half of English stadia face climate hazards, finds study
September 22 – Almost half of all football stadiums in England are put at risk by climate change in the form of flooding, storms and heat waves, according to experts at insurer Zurich UK.
UEFA ushers in another new era for European women’s game with inaugural Nations League
September 21 – UEFA’s inaugural Nations League will kick off a new era for European women’s football on Friday with more competitive matches, two tickets for the Olympic Games at stake, and an impact on qualifying for Euro 2025.
RFEF fires general secretary as it accelerates promises on reform
September 21 – Spain’s FA (RFEF) has dismissed yet another key figure and admits it “deeply regrets” its role in the “institutional crisis” in the wake of the country’s Women’s World Cup victory that was overshadowed by the ‘kissgate’ scandal.
UEFA shut doors on Romania after fans’ pro-Serbia, anti-Kosovo chants
September 21 – UEFA have punished the Romanian FA with an order to play its next home European Championship qualifier behind closed doors because of pro-Serbia chants by fans during a recent fixture with Kosovo.
Europa League kicks off with Liverpool as run-away favourites for fourth title
September 21 – Liverpool begin their Europa League campaign as hot favourites to lift the title for a fourth time with most odds being offered around 7/2. Compare this to Brighton at around 12-1 and Roma, third favourite at 16-1, bookies are taking no chances in terms of where they expect to be the UEL winners.
OM boss Marcelino quits after abusive fan meeting leads to staff threats
September 21 – Olympique Marseille manager Marcelino (pictured) quit Wednesday after just three months in charge, with a club spokesman bemoaning a “deplorable situation” on the eve of their Europa League clash with Ajax.
Spanish women agree to end boycott; RFEF commit to immediate change, but is Rocha staying?
September 20 – Most of Spain’s women’s World Cup-winning players ended their boycott of the national team early today following an overnight meeting with officials and a promise from the country’s football federation (RFEF) that it would make “immediate and profound changes”.
UEFA’s ‘Champions Innovate’ initiative puts sustainability at front of UCL final objectives
September 20 – UEFA is set to launch the all-new ‘Champions Innovate’ programme with the aim of catalysing innovation around the 2024 UEFA Champions League final in London, creating a more sustainable match-day experience.
Poland promote from within with Probierz moving up to replace sacked Santos
September 20 – Michal Probierz has replaced Fernando Santos as coach of Poland’s national team.
UEFA monitors status of Nagorno-Karabakh region ahead of Qarabag Europa League opener
September 20 – UEFA says it is “monitoring the situation and is in close contact” with Azerbaijan authorities in case matches are affected by the historic territorial conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region which has just flared up again.