Germans give Hansi the Flick after being put to the sword again by Blue Samurai
September 10 – Germany have dismissed manager Hansi Flick after a 4-1 friendly defeat at home against Japan, bringing to an end a disappointing two-year reign.
World Football
Al-Khelaifi shuts door on Saudi clubs in European competition but not on Saudi opportunities
September 8 – The European Club Association and its chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi have insisted there are no plans to grant Saudi Arabian club sides access to the reformatted Champions League.
Spanish Liga F season delayed as women start two week strike over pay
September 6 – Players in Liga F, the top tier of women’s football in Spain, are set to go on strike over pay which will see them miss the first two scheduled games of the league season. The opening game of season between Sevilla and Grenadilla Tenerife is scheduled for tonight.
Joint bids are the new hosting reality as UEFA set to confirm Euro hosts for 2028 and 2030
September 8 – UEFA has confirmed it will announce the hosts for Euro 2028 and Euro 2032 on October 10, with the United Kingdom and Ireland in pole position for the 2028 tournament.
WISL blows on to US women’s pro soccer scene promising an open league, meritocrisy and opportunity
September 8 – The Women’s Independent Soccer League (WISL) has applied to the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for sanctioning as a Division II women’s professional league with a view to kicking off its inaugural season in 2024.
Athletic Bilbao use international break to go back to their roots
September 8 – Athletic Bilbao are using the international back to celebrate their local club partnerships with the first-ever Euskal non-league day this weekend, where fans of the club travel to partner clubs’ games around the Basque region to show their support.
UEFA and ECA renew vows to 2030 as club payments shift towards performance rather than ‘entitlement’
By Paul Nicholson
September 6 – UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) have renewed their co-operation agreement that recognises UEFA as the governing body of football in Europe but has seen the ECA’s increased involvement in both calendar and competition change, as well as its joint venture position in UEFA Club Competitions SA, the commercial entity tasked with developing club competition revenues.
Haaland and Messi head nominees list for 2023 Ballon d’Or
September 7 – Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Miami’s Lionel Messi head the 30-player list of candidates for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
Hermoso files criminal complaint against Rubiales
September 7 – Jennifer Hermoso has filed a criminal complaint against Luis Rubiales over the kiss after Spain’s World Cup victory, accusing the football official of sexual assault.
BetPawa increases its African betting footprint with Uganda federation deal
September 6 – The Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) and BetPawa have partnered in a deal that will cover the FUFA Drum, the Big League and the Futsal League.
RFEF fires women’s head coach and Rubiales-backed ally Jorge Vilda
September 6 – Women’s world champions Spain are looking for a new national coach after Jorge Vilda was fired amid the controversy involving suspended federation president Luis Rubiales.
RFEF issues apology to world football over the damage caused by Rubiales’ actions
By Samindra Kunti
September 5 – The Spanish FA (RFEF) have issued an apology for the “totally unacceptable” behaviour of Luis Rubiales after kissing Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final. The RFEF has also sacked coach its head women’s coach Jorge Vilda.
Own goal? African football returns to commercial chaos as CAF cancels £415m beIN Sports deal
By Paul Nicholson
September 9 – African football has been plunged into more commercial turmoil and intrigue after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued a letter on September 1 cancelling, with immediate effect, a $415 million broadcast contract with beIN Sports that has four years still to run.
Jarc exits Slovenia women’s team post after accusations of bullying and sexism
September 5 – Slovenia’s Borut Jarc has stood down as head coach of Slovenia women’s national team after widespread allegations of bullying, body-shaming and sexism by him and his coaching staff. Jarc denies any wrongdoing.
Spanish men’s team condemn Rubiales and express solidarity with women’s players
September 5 – In their first public statement in the Rubiales affair, Spain’s men’s national team have condemned the “unacceptable behaviour” of their federation president in a show of support for the women’s World Cup-winning side.