Russia 2018 contenders Belgium extend Martinez deal through to 2020 Euros
By Samindra Kunti
May 18 – Roberto Martinez has extended his contract with Belgium in a two-year deal. He will remain Belgium’s coach until Euro 2020.
Performance
Maradona to head for Belarusia’s Dinamo Brest post World Cup
May 18 – He’s done some novel things since hanging up his boots and now Diego Maradona has entered new territory again by signing a three-year contract to become chairman of the Belarusian side Dinamo Brest after the World Cup.
Messi is best player in Europe, Man City have 6 in top 10, Spurs’ Kane ranks 10th
May 18 – Lionel Messi was the best player in European club football this season and Manchester City’s David Silva was the second best. Sergio Aguero was better than Mohamed Salah and they were both better than Harry Kane.
Europa Cup Final: Lyon on high alert as OM fans mass for Atletico showdown
By Samindra Kunti in Lyon
May 16 – Hosts Lyon are on red alert as thousands of Marseille fans descend on the city ahead of the European Cup final with Atletico Madrid. Stringent security measures have been implemented to prevent any scuffles or violence. For the match itself football bookmaker Unibet has the odds stacked firmly in favour of Atletico.
New CIES study reveals global flows of football talent
May 11 – A report by the CIES Football Observatory provides insights into the global flows of football expatriates, revealing that the labour market of footballers is increasingly internationalised with player flow between countries still on the increase.
VAR stumbles down under as signal lost at crucial moment
March 8 – Little more than a month before kickoff at the World Cup, where video assistant referees are being used for the first time in football’s showpiece competition, the system has come in for yet more criticism – not over the principle of implementation but over the technical process.
Roma in ruins as proud Pallotta bemoans lack of VAR in Champions League
May 3 – Roma president James Pallotta says it will be an “absolute joke” if video assistant referees are not introduced in the Champions League after his side were cruelly knocked out by Liverpool 7-6 on aggregate in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Spain have most players to power themselves to a Russia 2018 win, says data report
May 2 – Spain have the power to regain the World Cup title they lost to Germany in 2014, according to a ranking by the CIES Football Observatory that looks at the most likely Russia 2018 winners.
Halilhodzic says he is confused over why Japan fired him from national team job
April 30 – Three weeks after being fired as Japan’s national coach, Vahid Halilhodzic says he still doesn’t know why he was ousted as he launched a passionate defence of his time of charge.
Maradona quits coaching job at UAE’s Al Fujairah with club in play-off positions
April 30 – Argentine legend Diego Maradona has left as coach of Al Fujairah by mutual consent after the club missed out on automatic promotion from the United Arab Emirates’ second division.
Liverpool expand youth coaching footprint into Kunming, China
April 27 – Premier League Liverpool have announced a youth coaching project in Kunming, the capital city of SW China’s Yunnan province, that will initially provide coaching to a selection of schools.
Liverpool’s Salah strikes again with Player of the Year award
April 21 – Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has been named England’s Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) – the first player from his country to receive the annual award.
After 22 years the Wenger revolution that turned into a revolt is coming to an ending
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – When he arrived a generation ago, the cry went up “Arsene Who?” Three league titles, seven FA Cup trophies – including two league and cup “doubles” – and 22 years later, Arsene Wenger, the longest-serving manager in the Premier league, is finally calling it a day at the end of the season.
FIFA trains video refs for Russia and promises to keep fans in the big picture
By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – Amid widespread concern about supporters being left in the dark, FIFA have confirmed that giant screens will be used at World Cup matches for replays of incidents decided by the video assistant referee – accompanied by written explanations.
Premier League comes in from the cold with first Winter break planned for 2020
April 19 – After years of debate and discussion, the Premier League finally looks set to follow much of continental Europe and introduce a winter break from the season after next.