UEFA goes green with new EC pact
December 4 – UEFA has gone green and it isn’t just about the greenbacks its top clubs and players so voraciously gobble up. Their ‘greenness’ this time is for the greater good.
World Football
Man Utd’s Woodward says club would not be part of any European Super League
December 4 – Manchester United boss Ed Woodward (pictured) has said that his club wouldn’t participate in a European Super League. He argued that changes to the European football structure should be “complementary to thriving domestic leagues”.
Flamengo wins appeal against paying support to families of youth players killed in academy fire
December 3 – Flamengo will no longer have to pay an allowance of 10,000 Brazilian Reias (€1,578) to the families of the victims of the Ninho de Urubu training complex tragedy, a Rio de Janeiro court ruled.
Ceferin and EU chief Sassoli take joint vow to tackle racism and build European solidarity
December 3 – UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin (pictured) and European Parliament President David Sassoli met by videoconference on Wednesday with an agenda focussed on working together to tackle racism and promote inclusion, and safeguard solidarity in European football.
New Brexit rules cut young player imports in favour of homegrown talent
By Andrew Warshaw
December 2 – Radical post-Brexit plans over the freedom – or lack of it – of players have been announced by English football authorities with overseas imports having to qualify in future through a points-based system when the transition period ends on December 31.
Champions League revamp talks push towards more big club clashes
December 2 – The discussion over the planned revamp of UEFA’s Champions League will continue this week, with a number of restructuring options on the table.
Newcastle’s covid crisis forces first Premier League postponement
December 2 – Just as a limited number of fans are being allowed back into top-flight English games this coming weekend, so the unpredictability of Covid-19 has starkly hit home with Newcastle United’s game at Aston Villa on Friday becoming the first Premier League fixture this season to be postponed because of the disease.
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.
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.