England’s clubs dip toe in water of limited fan return
December 2 – After 266 long days, a tiny number of fans return to English league football tonight with clubs in certain areas of the country finally opening their turnstiles.
World Football
Bayern and Lyon players dominate nominees for UEFA team of year votes
December 1 – UEFA.com has opened voting for its teams of the year, for the first time giving fans the opportunity to pick a women’s team.
Laporta puts restoring ‘pride’ and keeping Messi at heart of his Barca presidential bid
December 1 – Joan Laporta, who led Barcelona between 2003 and 2010, and has announced that he will run for a second term as club president in succession to the much-maligned Josep Maria Bartomeu, says he is hopeful of convincing Lionel Messi to stay at the Nou Camp.
Low point: Germans back head coach for Euro 2020
December 1 – Joachim Low will coach Germany at Euro 2020. The longstanding coach had come under severe pressure in recent months, but the German FA (DFB), have kept their faith in him.
FA disarray as Cartwright quits board at start of hunt for new chair
December 1 – The English Football Association has been plunged into yet more disarray with the resignation of its senior independent director Stacey Cartwright, who had been leading the selection panel to appoint a new chairman for the organisation.
Lack of match dates could force Coupe de France off, says Le Graët
December 1 – This season’s entire Coupe de France is in danger of being called off, according to French federation president Noël Le Graët.
Frappart breaks down more barriers with Juve vs Dynamo Kiev appointment
December 1 – Stephanie Frappart breaks more new ground on Wednesday when she becomes the first woman to referee a men’s Champions League game.
UEFA to open talks with city hosts on options for fan attendance at Euros next June
November 30 – UEFA have decided to make a final decision on March 5 next year in terms of whether fans will be allowed at the postponed Euro 2020 tournament.
Police raid home of Maradona’s doctor
November 30 – Argentine prosecutors are investigating Diego Maradona’s personal physician for possible negligence following the footballing legend’s death last week from a heart attack at the age of 60 which sparked a global outpouring of grief.
Four coaches since June, no money, and relegation looming. Botafogo in crisis
November 30 – Botafogo are teetering on the edge after dismissing their fourth coach since June. The club, languishing in the relegation zone of the Brazilian top flight, dismissed Ramon Diaz on Friday after he had been in charge for only three weeks.
Alves’ ‘transparency’ platform win him presidency at debt-riddled Corinthians
November 30 – Duílio Monteiro Alves has been elected the new president of Brazilian giants Corinthians. With the victory, former strongman Andrés Sanchez’s political group will lead the club for another three years.
Senegalese hero Papa Bouba Diop dies, aged 42
November 30 – Former Senegal international midfielder Papa Bouba Diop, who scored the goal that produced one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, has died aged just 42.
UEFA nations ranked as 2022 World Cup qualifying pots decided for December 7 draw
November 27 – FIFA has confirmed the seedings for the European section of qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with England, Belgium and reigning world champions France in Pot 1.
UEFA hands Qarabag’s Ibrahimov life ban for ‘kill’ all Armenians’ social post
November 27 – In an unusual move, UEFA has banned for life a staff member of Azerbaijani champions Qarabag for a social media post that showed “racist behaviour” and “incidents of a non-sporting nature”.
Cairo on edge as Zamalek and Al-Ahly clash in CAF Champions League final
November 27 – Egyptian giants Zamalek and Al-Ahly will renew African football’s oldest rivalry in the final of the Champions League, staged as a single match for the first time in the modern era in their home city of Cairo.