Luxembourg minnows F91 Dudelange swim with AC Milan big fish
September 21 – Of all the results in the first week of the Champions league and Europa League, arguably the most notable achievement was from a club that actually lost.
Performance
Spurs go down under for talent development deal with Wollongong Uni
September 20 – Premier League Tottenham Hotspur has added an Australian leg to its global football development partnership programme with a hook-up with the University of Wollongong.
Dortmund hook-up with Xi’an Uni to push development and brand in northwestern China
September 18 – Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund has continued its push into Asia, singing a strategic partnership with Xi’an Physical Education University that will see the club collaborate with the Chinese in football coaching and exchanges.
FIFA set to clamp down on big club player loan deals
By Andrew Warshaw
September 13 – FIFA are to put a stop to elite clubs sending unlimited numbers of players out on loan, according to reports from Germany.
AFC gathers its coaching elite for Shanghai powwow
September 7 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has gathered together many of its top club coaches from across the region for its Third Elite Club Coaches Forum in Shanghai.
Danish part-timers show spirit against Slovakia as Wales Nations League opener looms
September 6 – Denmark’s bits-and-pieces team of lower-league players, drafted in because of a bitter pay dispute, went down fighting when they beaten 3-0 by Slovakia in a friendly on Wednesday.
Greek god: Yaya Touré makes triumphant return to Olympiacos
September 5 – Yaya Touré is a football ‘legend’ but for the fans of Olympiacos he is now elevated to the ranks of the Immortals.
Platini enters VAR debate questioning its ‘progress’, ‘justice’ and FIFA’s self-serving stats
August 29 – Still banned over that infamous ‘disloyal payment’ from Sepp Blatter, former UEFA boss Michel Platini has entered the debate over video assistant referees saying the system has done next to nothing to help the game.
Bolt getting up to speed for his Central Coast Mariners debut down under
August 28 – Retired sprint legend Usain Bolt is set to make his footballing debut for Australian club side Central Coast Mariners saying he will be more nervous than during his illustrious track career when he won eight Olympic gold medals.
VAR could debut in Champions League at quarterfinal stage
August 22 – UEFA, whose president Aleksander Ceferin has resisted video assistant referees in his club competitions, are considering a partial about-turn and could introduce VARs in the Champions League from the quarterfinal onwards, according to The Times newspaper.
Spain and Japan head for U20 Womens World Cup final showdown
August 21 – Spain and Japan reached their maiden U-20 Womens World Cup final after eliminating hosts France and England respectively. The tournament will culminate on Friday in Vannes with the final showdown.
Modrić, Ronaldo and Salah shortlisted for men’s award, Harder, Hegerberg and Henry for women’s
August 21 – UEFA have unveiled the top three shortlists for the men’s and women’s player of the year awards. The winners will be announced August 30 at the Champions League group draw in Monaco.
Ronaldo-fever in full flow as he debuts for Juve in last gasp win at Chievo
August 20 – Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t score on his debut as Juventus edged past Chievo Verona 2-3, but the Portuguese superstar’s landing in Italy has firmly turned the spotlight on Serie A, with the league’s commercial appeal skyrocketing.
Zenit comeback makes history but no-one is there to see it
August 17 – Zenit St Petersburg produced one of the greatest comebacks in European history on Thursday – but there were no fans inside the stadium to see it.
First honours to Atletico as extra-time goals beat Real in UEFA Super Cup
August 16 – Is this the season where the red and white half of Madrid gets the better of their more globally successful, if not illustrious, rivals?