African challengers line up to challenge Ahmad’s CAF supremacy
April 30 – Speculation is mounting that under-fire African football supremo Ahmad Ahmad (pictured) may be facing several challenges to his rule.
Euro leagues chief Olsson dismisses FIFA medical boss as having ‘no idea’
April 30 – The head of the European Leagues umbrella body has hit back at FIFA’s medical chief for suggesting the season should be cancelled because of Covid-19.
Sex change: Locked down football fans swap live TV matches for bedroom action
April 30 – Football fans may be frustrated at not being able to watch their teams live but they are making up for it with more action in the bedroom, according to data from a new study.
Police chief sees consolidating games at stadia as an option but warns fans to stay away
April 30 – One of Britain’s most senior police officers has warned that football will be cancelled if fans attempt to congregate outside stadiums and contravene social distancing guidelines, if and when matches resume, and also suggests some games could be played at neutral venues.
Man Utd get ready Old Trafford trial for when it is safe to stand
April 30 – They might have to be 2m apart but the re-introduction of standing areas to Premier League grounds in England has taken a step closer with Manchester United confirming they have received approval from Trafford Council for a barrier seating trial to take place at Old Trafford.
Failed Swiss prosecutors leak Blatter knew Warner was enriching himself
April 30 – A new twist has emerged in the criminal case against former FIFA president Sepp Blatter that was recently dropped, further calling into question the efficacity of the Swiss justice department that has been under severe scrutiny in recent months.
French abandon any hope of restart after PM steps in to ban all football until September
By Andrew Warshaw
April 29 – France has become the first of the so-called Big Five leagues in Europe to scrap the rest of their season because of Covid-19, joining the Netherlands and Belgium in ending all domestic competition and throwing UEFA’s hopes of a co-ordinated resumption of play into disarray.
FIFA fury over collapse of Germany 2006 World Cup bribery case
By Andrew Warshaw
April 28 – In a rare intervention indicative of its frustration verging on anger, FIFA has slammed the collapse of the 2006 World Cup fraud trial in Switzerland that allowed three prominent former German football supremos to escape a verdict.
Swiss parliamentarians start procedure for dismissal of Lauber
April 29 – Conservative Swiss MP Lorenz Hess has filed a request for a dismissal procedure to be initiated against the nation’s attorney general Michael Lauber (pictured), who has come under severe pressure after the five-year statute of limitations in the 2006 World Cup fraud investigation expired on Monday.
UEFA sets May 25 deadline for leagues to decide on season finishes
April 28 – Amidst growing frustration over the confused state of affairs throughout its membership, UEFA has imposed a May 25 deadline for European leagues to say whether or not they intend to complete or cancel their domestic seasons.
Broadcasting hike enables English FA to bounce back into profit
By David Owen
April 29 – New broadcasting deals enabled the Football Association to bounce back into profit while boosting investments in the English game by almost 30% to £165.6 million during the year to end-July 2019.
Al-Khelaïfi and Valcke get court date; beIN boss demands prosecutors removed and files own criminal complaint
April 29 – The seemingly on-off Swiss prosecution of Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (pictured), boss of beIN Media and president of Paris St Germain, has taken further twists this week with Swiss justice saying he will be tried in court in September. Al-Khelaïfi’s lawyers had already filed a request for the removal of ‘compromised’ federal prosecutors, as well as filing their own criminal complaint.
US investors Pacific Media Group add to club holdings with completion of KV Oostende buy
April 29 – After prolongated negotiations, American investment group Pacific Media Group (PMG) has become the new owner of struggling KV Oostende.
FIFA medical chief d’Hooghe says leagues should forget this season and plan for next
April 29 – FIFA’s chief medical expert has warned countries against resuming their seasons too early because of Covid-19 and believes it makes far more sense to prepare fully for next season instead.
EU players will need to pass ‘points’ test to play in the UK’s pro leagues
April 29 – Players from the European Union will have to go through a points-based system similar to that which currently applies to non-EU footballers before being allowed to play in the English Premier League under new proposals caused by Brexit.