UEFA calls off U-19 Euros but sends top 5 ranked teams to U-20 World Cup
October 21 – UEFA has cancelled its U-19 European Championship because of the coronavirus pandemic and issues around international travel.
Spanish civil war rages over LaLiga’s Monday and Friday night games
October 21 – The ongoing row between the Spanish league and the national federation over which days domestic matches can take place in the country is back in the news after a Madrid court rejected the latest request by La Liga to play on Mondays and Fridays.
Napoli game still on despite AZ Alkmaar’s unlucky 13 positive tests
October 21 – Dutch club AZ Alkmaar have been hit by no fewer than 13 positive Covid-19 cases but their Europa League clash with Napoli on Thursday is still going ahead despite the number of infections.
Greeks shelve plans to lift fan ban as virus spikes
October 21 – Greece has dropped plans to allow fans back at sporting events and football matches, the country’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday. The measure forms parts of new tougher restrictions in Greece to combat and contain the coronavirus.
Covid positive tests force delay to Concacaf League’s full restart
October 21 – Concacaf, in the throes of starting its club competitions, has had to postpone one of the first matches of its second club competition, the Concacaf League, after four players and four staff from Belize’s Verdes FC tested positive for covid.
Man Utd’s Ighalo blasts Nigerian government over protest killings
October 21 – Manchester United’s Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo says he is ashamed of the government following reports that soldiers opened fire on protesters in an area of Lagos on Tuesday.
Berbr resigns post as Czech FA scrambles to limit match-fixing damage
By Andrew Warshaw
October 20 – Within hours of being embroiled in match-fixing scandal that has rocked his country, the vice-chairman of the Czech FA, Roman Berbr, has handed in his resignation despite having vehemently denied any involvement.
Lost matches force UEFA to cut Champions and Europa League prize pools
October 20 – The Covid pandemic has forced UEFA to reduce Champions League and Europa League prize money. The cut will be spread over the next five seasons.
UEFA mull expanding UCL group stages to 36 teams
October 20 – UEFA are considering radical plans to change the format of the Champions League to allow 36 clubs in the group stage according to unconfirmed reports.
India’s I-League qualifiers pass Covid test with Sporting Mohammedan securing league slot
October 20 – Kolkata-based club Sporting Mohammedan confirmed their return to the I-League with a 2-0 win over Bhawanipore to wrap up the I-League qualifiers which served as a coronavirus test case for Indian football.
UEFA kicks off packed UCL schedule with Man Utd at PSG and Bayern vs Atletico
October 20 – The group stages of the UEFA Champions League kick off tonight with a congested calendar and the threat of the coronavirus looming large.
Inter adds launches two new academy projects in Russia
October 20 – Serie A giants Internazionale have continued their international expansion of their Inter Academy programme with two new sites in Russia, in Moscow and Novosibirsk, being added to their existing hub in Saint Petersburg.
Spanish prosecutor demands €105m tax fraud fine for Las Palmas chief Ramirez
October 20 – Spanish prosecutors have requested a jail sentence of 21 and a half years and a €105 million fine for the president of tier two Las Palmas, Miguel Ángel Ramírez.
Germany issues arrest warrants for Panama Papers’ Mossack and Fonseca
October 20 – Germany has issued international arrest warrants for the two founders of the firm at the centre of the tax haven scandal exposed by the Panama Papers, according to German media.
Hands-on Aguero looks set to escape sanction
October 20 – Manchester City’s Argentine striker Sergio Aguero will reportedly avoid retrospective action after being caught on camera placing his hand on the shoulder of a female assistant referee during last Saturday’s Premier League win against Arsenal.