Euro 2024 branding launched in Berlin
October 6 – Berlin hosted the launch of the brand identity for EURO 2024 at the Olympiastadion along with the tournament tag line ‘United by Football. Vereint im Herzen Europas’.
ALK makes hybrid cash/credit offer for Burnley fan shares
October 6 – Burnley’s owner ALK Capital has offered to buy the remaining shares owned by the club’s supporters.
UEFA open racism probes into Union Berlin and Sparta Prague incidents
October 6 – European governing body UEFA has opened investigations into racist behaviour from both Union Berlin and Sparta Prague fans in recent European club competitions.
Serie A world first with integration of ISG-Supponor latest virtual tech into IBC
October 6 – Use of virtual advertising technology has been a slow build but a new deal with Italy’s Serie A by UK-based Interregional Sports Group (ISG) and Supponor could prove to be a significant step towards more widespread acceptance.
European women’s stakeholders unite against FIFA’s biennial World Cup scheme
October 5 – Leading bodies and figures from across the women’s game in Europe have joined forces to attack the concept of a biennial World Cup in the latest opposition to FIFA’s proposals to radically change the global status quo.
FIFPRO warns of burnout after ‘workload’ report finds players operating in critical zone
October 5 – Football’s world players union has called for their members to be treated more compassionately in order prevent burnout, saying compulsory breaks must be put in place.
Ajax losses hit €8.1m for covid season without fans
October 5 – Ajax Amsterdam has reported an €8.1 million loss for the 2020/21 season, a deficit the Dutch club attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic and a season where most of the matches were played without fans.
Aussie FA says it will act on complaints of sexual misconduct in women’s game
October 5 – Football Australia has responded to a report of indecent assault, sexual assault and an on-going toxic culture in the national team women’s game, saying that any formal complaint through the appropriate channels will be investigated.
Iran to open Azadi stadium to fans for South Korean qualifier, including women
October 5 – After a two-year ban, Iranian women will be allowed to return to the stadium on October 12 and support Team Melli in the World Cup qualifier against South Korea.
Pandora Papers: Guardiola paid his 2012 Qatari wages into a tax-avoiding Andorra account
October 5 – Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has been named in the Pandora Papers, with accusations that he held money in an offshore account in Andorra to avoid paying tax.
Barca report €481m losses but says wage cuts and Nou Camp reopening will return profit
October 5 – FC Barcelona has confirmed losses for the covid-hit 2020/21 financial year at €481 million after tax. Revenue for the year was €631 million while expenditure had boomed to a massive €1.136 billion.
South African fans incentivised to get Covid jab with free entry for vaccinated
October 5 – Days after withdrawing from any attempts to host the Club World Cup this December, the South African Football Association (SAFA) have confirmed football fans will soon be returning to stadiums in South Africa, if they are fully vaccinated.
AFC dials in Japanese telecoms giant KDDI for renewed term
October 5 – The AFC has renewed Japanese telecoms provider KDDI as a regional partner for its major national team competitions for the 2021-2024 rights cycle.
Klopp sees red as frustration bubbles over too strict quarantine rules
October 4 – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken the UK government to task over their change of heart in offering Premier League players exemptions if they are travelling to Covid red-list countries during this month’s international break.
US women’s soccer shocked to standstill over NWSL sexual harassment allegations
October 4 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), until last week a picture of positivity, progress and growth, has reacted swiftly to the multiple allegations of sexual harassment that resulted in the firing of North Carolina Coach Paul Riley but which senior players have said is also a wider league problem.