March 15 – Talks are under way to allow up to 20,000 fans – around a quarter of capacity at Wembley – at this season’s FA Cup final as one of the pilot events for the large-scale return of spectators in the wake of the coronavirus.
By Andrew Warshaw
March 12 – Laura McAllister is under no illusions about her chances of success when she bids to become European football’s female representative on the FIFA Council next month.
March 11 – Despite an apparent agreement between UEFA and Europe’s leading clubs over plans to reform the Champions League post-2024 in order to stave off the threat of a breakaway super league, opposition to the plan continues to be voiced by some key stakeholders.
March 11 – Kosovo have backtracked and agreed to play Spain in their World Cup qualifier after saying the Spanish had expressed regret for referring to the Balkan country as a “territory”.
March 10 – A huge political row is brewing after Kosovo threatened to boycott their World Cup qualifier against Spain later this month if they are not allowed to display their flag or play their national anthem before kick-off.
By Andrew Warshaw
March 10 – With what can only be described as bizarre timing verging on the foolhardy, Welsh football has been plunged into disarray with the news that Jonathan Ford is to leave his post as chief executive after 12 years.
March 10 – One of the longest reigns in international football management is coming to an end with the announcement that Joachim Loew is to step down as Germany’s head coach after the European Championship finals in June and July, bringing forward his previous plan to quit after the next World Cup.
March 10 – Once again Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus won’t win the Champions League. For the third time since the arrival of the Portuguese superstar, the Turin-based club have been eliminated in the round of 16 – at the hands of Porto this time, a setback for Juventus and its chairman and ECA boss Andrea Agnelli.
March 9 – The new format of the Champions League after 2024 could be agreed upon within a matter of weeks according to the boss of European Club Association, Andrea Agnelli.
March 9 – UEFA have suspended Romanian fourth official Sebastian Coltescu until the end of the season for his role in a racism case last December.
March 8 – Joan Laporta was elected Barcelona president by a landslide on Sunday, taking charge of the club for a second spell but this time inheriting a financial crisis and the possible departure of Lionel Messi at the end of the season.
March 8 – Rangers’ first domestic Scottish title for a decade was marred by a serious breach of Covid rules on Sunday that prompted the intervention of the country’s political leader.
March 8 – Saudi prince Abdullah bin Mosaad (pictured) is closing in on the acquisition of French Ligue 2 club Châteauroux, despite the club’s imminent relegation to the third division.
March 5 – Barcelona, Real Madrid and two other Spanish clubs have been dealt a significant financial blow after being forced to pay back millions of euros in illegal state aid following a ruling by the EU’s highest court.
March 5 – Portugal have moved their home World Cup qualifying game against Azerbaijan to Turin in a bid to use their leading English-based stars.