Benfica’s Estádio da Luz to expand to 70,000 ahead of 2030 World Cup
January 7 – Benfica Football Club has announced ambitious plans to expand their iconic stadium in Lisbon to a 70,000-seat capacity.
Europe
Barca request to register Olmo and Víctor denied by RFEF and LaLiga
January 6 – Barcelona’s precarious financial situation has been brought into sharp focus after their request to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor for the rest of the season was denied by the Spanish league and federation.
PSG beat AS Monaco to win Trophée des Champions in Doha
January 6 – Paris Saint-Germain have kicked off 2025 in style with a 1-0 victory against AS Monaco to claim the French Super Cup in Doha.
AC Milan break Juve’s unbeaten run to head into Supercoppa final against Inter in Riyadh
January 6 – AC Milan will meet Inter Milan in tonight’s Supercoppa Italiana after new boss Sergio Conceicao christened his first game in charge with an important 2-1 over Juventus at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the final four format is being hosted.
Slavia Sofia president fires team captain for meddling in coach’s business
January 6 – Ventseslav Stefanov (pictured), the president of Bulgaria’s oldest club Slavia Sofia, has terminated the contract of the team’s captain and former Bulgarian international, Galin Ivanov.
Inter Milan head into Supercoppa final in Riyadh and await either AC Milan or Juve
January 3 – Inter Milan secured a place in the final of the Supercoppa Italiana with a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday evening, keeping Simone Inzaghi’s side firmly in the hunt for silverware this season, with the Serie A title race, that resume later this month, also tighter than ever.
Despite not being registered, Olmo says he wants to remain at Barca
January 3 – Barcelona star Dani Olmo has denied, via his agent, of any ongoing transfer talks amid speculation the Euro 2024 winner could leave the Catalan club on a free transfer.
Rangers old firm win over Celtic again mired by violence
January 3 – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and midfielder Arne Engels were both targeted in separate missile-throwing incidents during Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, prompting an investigation by Police Scotland.
Former Russian defender Aleksei Bugayev killed fighting in Ukraine
January 2 – Aleksei Bugayev, a former member of Russia’s national team who played at Euro 2004, has been killed in the war in Ukraine, Russian media quoted his father and agent as saying.
Arise Sir Gareth
January 2 – Former England manager Gareth Southgate has been given a knighthood in the UK’s annual New Year Honours list.
ECA and PSG boss Al-Khelaifi brands A22 Unify League a greed-driven publicity stunt
December 23 – The European Club Association, the influential body representing hundreds of clubs across Europe, have dismissed the latest plans to launch a 96-team breakaway league.
Stoke, England and human rights champion George Eastham passes, aged 88
December 23 – Former England midfielder George Eastham, a member of the country’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad who became equally well known for blazing a trail for player freedom of movement, has died aged 88.
A22 says it consulted stakeholders. European Leagues say no-one spoke to them
December 20 – The European Leagues organisation has insisted it was not consulted by the promoters of the proposed European Super League regarding the relaunch of the breakaway concept as the Unify League.
UEFA names new second-tier club competition Women’s Europa Cup
December 20 – UEFA has named its newly launched second-tier women’s club tournament the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup.
UEFA releases Respect Report detailing sustainability and social impact initiatives
December 20 – UEFA’s 2023/24 Respect Report outlines €12.1 million spent on sustainability initiatives last season, tracking over 100 key performance indicators in a data-driven effort to address football’s environmental and social impact.