UEFA hits Feyenoord with fan ban and fine after Swiss rampage
November 26 – Feyenoord have been banned from selling tickets to their fans for next month’s Europe League game at Porto.
Europe
No joke: Cellino’s Balotelli ‘black’ comment falls flat
November 26 – The controversial president of Italian club Brescia is facing accusations of racism after wading into the debate over striker Mario Balotelli who earlier this month briefly walked off in protest at being targeted by Hellas Verona fans.
Brest halt BATE’s Belarus winning streak at thirteen
By David Owen
November 25 – Their reign at the top could not quite match the 25 years – and counting – of Alexander Lukashenko, the country’s president. Nonetheless, BATE Borisov’s dethroning on Sunday as national champions of Belarus very much qualifies as ‘the end of an era’.
Russia ready for more big football hosting as St Petersburg sets up for 2020
It may be unprecedented for a city which stages the World Cup to host the subsequent European Championships but St. Petersburg is gearing up once again to take centre stage with three group games and a quarterfinal of the pan-European 2020 finals. In his second report from Russia, Andrew Warshaw reports from a city that promises to rekindle memories of the riveting atmosphere that pervaded last year’s global competition.
Miccichè quits Serie A presidency over election allegations
November 20 – Gaetano Miccichè has sensationally resigned as president of Serie A with immediate effect following an investigation into his election last year.
Singing in the valleys: Welsh joy as they qualify for Euro 2020
November 20 – Wales have reached their second straight European Championship finals thanks to a 2-0 home win over Hungary in their winner-takes-all Group E qualifier on Tuesday.
Spanish women suspend strike as pay negotiations back on
November 19 – A strike by women footballers in Spain’s top division has been called off after an agreement to reopen negotiations over the on-going pay dispute in the top tier of the women’s game.
Platini says VAR is still ‘crap’ as he plots one final football adventure
November 19 – Former UEFA boss Michel Platini, back in the media spotlight as he plots his future now that his ban from football has expired, has taken a swipe at VAR, which he has always opposed.
Rubiales vs Tebas: Gloves off in latest round of Spain’s SuperClasico
By Andrew Warshaw
November 18 – The bitter war of words between the respective bosses of the Spanish FA (RFEF) and La Liga has plumbed new depths of acrimony amid claim and counter-claim following last week’s court ruling against the latest attempt to stage a league fixture in the United States.
CAS stays out the firing line saying it can’t stop UEFA’s new financial investigations of Man City
November 18 – Manchester City have lost their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to halt UEFA’s investigation into alleged financial fair play irregularities.
Madrid court says no Villareal vs Atletico in Miami telling LaLiga to wait for Feb ruling
November 15 – LaLiga’s attempts to get interim permission to play a league fixture in Miami this December have been knocked back by Madrid’s Mercantile Court No. 12.
Spanish TV turns back on RFEF’s Saudi Super Cup citing human rights concerns
November 15 – The criticism of the Spanish FA’s (RFEF) decision to move its Super Cup to Saudi Arabia in a €130 million deal is now alienating broadcast partners with state broadcaster RTVE saying it will not bid for the TV rights due to human rights concerns.
History made as 10-times Scottish Cup winners Queen’s Park finally turn pro
By David Owen
November 15 – The oldest club in Scotland has finally stopped trying to hold back the tide of history and bowed to modernity. Members of Queen’s Park, founded in 1867, have voted to permit the club to offer professional contracts.
UEFA bans Eintracht Frankfurt fans from key Champions League tie at Arsenal
November 15 – Eintracht Frankfurt will not have any away fans for their crucial Europa League match at Arsenal later this month after losing their appeal against a UEFA sanction.
Van Seggelen hands over the reins at FIFPro to Baer-Hoffmann
November 13 – Theo Van Seggelen, the public face of world players’ union FIFPro who did more than anyone to campaign for his members, is stepping down as general secretary on January 1 and being replaced by Jonas Baer-Hoffmann.