April 20 – UEFA have confirmed that the Hawk-Eye system will be used to decide whether or not the ball has crossed the line at this year’s European Championships. The camera-based system will be installed in all 10 stadia before the tournament kicks off on June 10 at the Stade de France.
By Samindra Kunti
April 19 – The Belgian Red Devils will earn a handsome €700,000 per player if they win this summer’s EURO 2016 in France.
By David Owen
April 14 – Neymar and his team-mates have been drawn against South Africa, Iraq and Denmark in this year’s Olympic men’s football tournament, while the Brazilian women have been bracketed with South Africa (again), Sweden and China, the global game’s new hot-bed at least in terms of business interest.
By Andrew Warshaw and Samindra Kunti
April 12 – As he awaits the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over his six-year ban from football, Michel Platini has been assured by the organisers that he can attend this summer’s European Championship finals in his homeland – even if the CAS judgement goes against him.
By Samindra Kunti
April 11 – The terrorist cell that struck at the heart of Paris and Brussels was planning to attack this summer’s European Championships, according to French media, further heightening security concerns ahead of the 24-nation tournament in June and July.
By David Owen
April 10 – Brazil, Argentina, Japan and Mexico, the defending champions, will be the top four seeds in this week’s draw for the men’s Olympic football tournament. Their counterparts in the women’s competition will be Brazil, the United States and Germany.
April 4 – Nordic countries are to make a joint bid to host the European Championship in 2024 and 2028, with matches in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland plus related events in Iceland and even the Faroe islands.
By Samindra Kunti
March 29 – Tonight France return to the Stade de France for the first time since the Paris attacks in November. French manager Didier Deschamps realises it will be an emotional game.
March 24 – UEFA have insisted there are no plans to play matches at Euro 2016 behind closed doors because of the threat of terrorism.
By Andrew Warshaw
March 23 – As next summer’s expanded European Championship finals in France come under increasing scrutiny because of the threat of terrorism, UEFA have been quick to express assurances about safety and security in the wake of Tuesday’s Brussels attacks that killed at least 34 people and left scores more injured, with one high-ranking UEFA official suggesting matches might even have to be held behind closed doors.
By Samindra Kunti
January 20 – Back in 1984 France won their first major tournament by defeating Spain 2-0 on home soil to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy. Michel Hidalgo’s eleven became part of French football folklore as the French came off age in the beautiful game. Coaches Alain Giresse, Luis Fernandez and Tigana later nurtured a next generation of French football players who’d excel at the 1998 France World Cup and EURO2000 co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
December 14 – Tickets for the Euro 2016 finals went on sale this morning following the draw of the championship schedule in Paris on Saturday. 800,000 tickets are on sale to fans in this window which closes January 18.
By David Owen
December 10 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has added its support to the package of reform proposals approved last week by FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee, while expressing concern about the “ongoing criminal procedures” in the United States and Switzerland.
By Samindra Kunti
December 4 – A study by the French consumer organisation QFC-Que Choisir has revealed that hotel rates during EURO2016 are set to skyrocket with rates up 45% on average from €97 to €141 across France.
November 25 – Euro 2016 organisers, mindful of heightened security following the Paris terrorist attacks, are hopeful of retaining traditional fan zones so that supporters will be allowed to watch matches on big screens in public areas.