Liverpool fans tell their stories
May 31 – The disturbing scenes in Paris at the Champions League Final bring shame on the French organisers and UEFA. The subsequent blame-game by the French is almost as distasteful.
World Football
Germany’s Bundesliga clubs mandate sustainability criteria in club licensing rules
May 31 – Germany’s Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs have agreed to the inclusion of a binding sustainability guideline in their club licensing regulations.
UEFA and French face tough questions over most dangerous Champions League final ever
By Andrew Warshaw
May 30 – Were Liverpool fans deliberately targeted because of past incidents involving English supporters?
Liverpool demand investigation into crowd chaos at Stade de France
By Samindra Kunti in Paris
May 29 – The Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid descended into chaos because of major safety concerns in the hours leading up to the final and even after kickoff had been delayed by 36 minutes. The complete disorder raises serious questions of UEFA and the Paris organisers.
UEFA to keep Belarus and Ukraine apart in competition draws
May 29 – UEFA has decided that teams from Belarus and Ukraine will be kept apart in the draws for any future UEFA competitions.
Saint-Etienne fans riot after Auxerre penalty shoot-out win sends them to Ligue 2
May 30 – After an 18-year stay in the top flight, Saint-Etienne, one of France’s most iconic clubs, were relegated from Ligue 1 on Sunday, prompting a pitch invasion by angry fans.
Courtois keeps Liverpool out as Vinicius goal lets Real Madrid in for record 14th UCL title
By Samindra Kunti in Paris
May 28 – Real Madrid won a record 14th European Cup with the narrowest of margins through a second-half Vinicius Junior strike against Liverpool in a Champions League final that failed to deliver on the promise of a great spectacle by the competition’s two finest teams. The final’s kickoff was delayed because of major crowd incidents and security breaches.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid, Salah vs Benzema. Paris set for another big finish
By Samindra Kunti in Paris
May 27 – In a repeat of the 2018 Champions League final, Liverpool will be marginal favourites to defeat Real Madrid and win a seventh European Cup, but the resilience and attacking firepower of the Spanish champions can never be underestimated following an extraordinary run to the final.
Players want limit on games with less than 5 days rest in between, finds survey
May 28 – No fewer than 87% of professional footballers want back-to-back matches limited in order to guard against a heavy workload, pointing out they are “athletes, not machines”, according to a new survey by global players’ union Fifpro.
Canada cancel ‘divisive’ Iran friendly after public pressure
May 27 – Canada Soccer has cancelled a controversial World Cup warm-up match against Iran citing its “significantly divisive” nature.
Ceferin tells LaLiga’s Tebas that if PSG broke rules, where’s the evidence?
May 26 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has waded into the debate over Kylian Mbappe’s contract extension at Paris St Germain after the French superstar turned his back on an expected move to Real Madrid.
Futsal Asian Cup: Finals draw favours Iran but pitches Japan and Korea into same group
May 26 – Reigning champions Iran have been drawn in Group C for the finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022 on Thursday.
Roma win inaugural Conference League, Mourinho racks up 5th European club championship
May 26 – Jose Mourinho does not do defeat in European club finals. His AS Roma triumphed 1-0 against Feyenoord with a defensive masterclass to claim the inaugural Conference League.
Uber Eats takes another bite of French football with national teams deal
May 26 – Food delivery service Uber Eats is taking a bigger bite of French football sponsorship with a deal with the federation to sponsor the French women’s, men’s and youth teams.
Anderlecht release Kompany after tough season; Burnley next?
May 26 – Vincent Kompany has departed Anderlecht after three seasons at the helm without winning a prize. He is shortlisted to become the next Burnley coach.