MLS overturns ban on anti-Nazi Iron Front symbol
September 26 – Major League Soccer is lifting its ban on the Iron Front symbol, an anti-Nazi symbol, for the remainder of the season and the playoffs after sustained protests from fan groups.
Italian Olympic boss Malago bellyflops into racism row
September 26 – The chairman of the Italian Olympics Committee has sparked fierce controversy by suggesting that diving is a more serious issue than racism in Italian football.
TEAM launch sponsorship sales for 2021-24 UEFA club competitions
September 26 – The sales processes for UEFA’s club competitions for the 2021-24 commercial cycle has been launched following approval of the sponsorship ‘concepts’ by UEFA’s executive committee.
UEFA urges boycott of clubs and countries where women aren’t allowed in stadia
By Andrew Warshaw
September 25 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has urged European nations and clubs to boycott playing in countries where women are forbidden from attending men’s matches.
Ceferin targets match-fixing and broadcast piracy in push to protect game
September 25 – Two separate initiatives, one targeting match-fixing, the other pirate broadcasting, are being launched by UEFA.
Silva’s sweet joke turns sour over ‘racist stereotype’
September 25 – A tweet posted by a Manchester City player about a teammate has been condemned by Britain’s Anti-racism group Kick It Out but played down by City manager Pep Guardiola.
Germany and Croatia saved as UEFA expands Nations League top tier to 16 teams
September 26 – UEFA has confirmed a reshuffle in the format of the second Nations League, offering a reprieve to Germany, Croatia, Poland and Iceland who would have been relegated from the top tier of the competition for its second edition in 2020.
UEFA unveils 32-team Conference League for 2021 kick off
September 25 – UEFA has unveiled further details of its third tier club competition, the UEFA Conference League, which will be introduced in the 2021/22 season.
Wage costs at Man Utd surge above £300m, as profit edges ahead
By David Owen
September 24 – Manchester United have got the 2018-19 Premier League financial results season off to a restrained start, reporting a modest increase in annual profit for the year to end-June. The Old Trafford club, already struggling this season to find an on-pitch rhythm under former striker-turned-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, posted a pre-tax figure of £27.5 million for 2018-19, up from a restated £25.8 million the previous year.
Is Spurs’ cup half full or half empty? Carabao exit to Colchester points to cracks
By Andrew Warshaw
September 25 – From Champions League finalist to elimination in their domestic League Cup by the lowest-ranked side left in the competition – in little over three months. What is going on at Tottenham Hotspur?
Big money non-starters. Spurs, Liverpool and Man City keep new players benched
September 25 – With the new season gathering pace, the CIES Football Observatory has analysed how the big money transfers are settling in with their new teams, with initial indications suggesting not very well at some of Europe’s leading clubs.
Bundesliga and Vodafone trial 5G mobile app at Wolfsburg
September 25 – Germany’s Bundesliga has tested the first applications of its 5G mobile stadia plan with Vodafone at Vfl Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen Arena as part of a live demonstration for their home game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
Performance enhancer: Arsenal turn to Science in Sport as Sports Nutrition Supplier
September 25 – Arsenal have signed a one-season deal with sports nutrition specialists Science in Sport (SiS) who become the club’s Official Sports Nutrition Supplier.
UEFA to consider expanding top tier of Nations League
September 24 – Governing body UEFA is considering a shakeup of the Nations League by expanding the top tier of the competition.
Thomas Cook collapse hits fans booked to follow English clubs in Europe
September 24 – Hundreds of fans are awaiting news on whether packages for upcoming games will be valid following the collapse this week of the Thomas Cook travel company.