Celtic boss Lawwell’s house firebombed
May 20 – Scottish police are investigating an apparent firebomb attack at the home of Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell.
World Football
England target 700,000+ ticket sales for women’s Euros and a ‘turbo-charged’ legacy
By Paul Nicholson
May 19 – Women’s Euro 2022 organisers England have unveiled ticketing and legacy plans for the tournament that aims to sell more than 700,000 tickets and see more than 120,000 girls playing across the nine host cities.
Bundesliga clubs turn down private equity cash to go it alone, ‘for now’
May 19 – Bundesliga clubs have turned down interest from private equity investors expressing an interest in investing in a minority stake in the newly created entities that will sell the league’s international rights.
French FA cost cutting will mean staff lay-offs
May 19 – The embattled French Football Federation (FFF) will downsize operations by letting 26 employees go in a bid to tackle a projected deficit for the 2020/21 season.
Player-led petition for an independent football regulator tops 100,000
May 18 – A UK parliamentary petition has now topped more than 100,000 signatures calling an independent regulator in English football.
Kane wants out of Spurs. £150m windfall for Levy?
May 18 – It’s the news every Tottenham Hotspur fan has been dreading. England captain Harry Kane has reportedly asked to leave at the end of the season, marking the end of an era and sparking a scramble among Europe’s richest clubs for the prolific striker’s prized signature.
UEFA’s Women’s Champions League gets rebrand and boost in prize money
May 18 – On Sunday, FC Barcelona were crowned champions of Europe with a thumping 4-0 win against English champions Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League. It marked a new high point in perception for the women’s game in Europe, with two of the biggest men’s clubs on the continent demonstrating they take the women’s game seriously.
Keller quits to allow for ‘deep-rooted and necessary restart’ at DFB
May 18 – Confirmation has now been made that Fritz Keller (pictured) has officially resigned with immediate effect as president of the German Football Association after sparking a wave of criticism for comparing his colleague to a notorious Nazi judge.
Motsepe says CAF finances are a grubby mess. But will his return to school clean them up?
By Samindra Kunti
May 17 – African supremo Patrice Motsepe has conceded unequivocally that sponsors don’t want to engage with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) because the toxic organisation has to “clean its house”.
Copa America set to go ahead despite Colombian civil unrest and Covid carnage
May 17 – Organisers of the oldest continental competition in world football, the Copa America, are reported to be backing joint hosts Colombia to stage this year’s tournament despite widespread civil unrest.
Clermont Foot take an unlikely step into France’s big league
By Andrew Warshaw
May 17 – Looking for a feelgood story amidst all the recent narrative of footballing greed and ego?
Barca blow Chelsea away to create Champions League history
May 17 – FC Barcelona blew Chelsea away 4-0 to win the Women’s Champions League and become the first club to win the both the European men’s and women’s Champions League competitions.
Kaizer Chiefs and Al Ahly target CAF Champions League final in Casablanca
May 17 – Chasing down an African Champions League final spot in Casablanca, Kaizer Chiefs registered an impressive 4-0 first-leg quarter-final win against Tanzania’s Simba to all but qualify for the last four. Defending champions Al Ahly from Egypt also to a step towards the semi-finals. defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0.
Spanish judge asks European Court if UEFA’s ESL opposition breaks EU competition law
By Andrew Warshaw
May 14 – In a move that could potentially have seismic consequences, a Spanish court has referred opposition to the ill-fated European Super League by FIFA and UEFA to the European Court of Justice.
