Belgium shock Netherlands as UEFA Women’s Nations League makes its bow
By Samindra Kunti in Leuven
September 24 – Belgium upset the Netherlands 2-1 to kick off their Nations League campaign on a high and throw Group A1 wide open.
News
Kroenke wants 2026 hosting deal for SoFi renegotiated as FIFA starts operational tours
September 24 – FIFA has begun an operational tour of the 16 host cities and stadia that will host the 2026 World Cup. The timing of the visits comes as doubts have been raised over whether the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, owned by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, will pull out of the event.
Entain’s Polish bookie brand STS picks up local rights for UEFA club competitions
September 24 – Polish sports betting operator STS has acquired the rights for the UEFA’s Europa League and Europa Conference League in Poland for the 2023/24 campaign.
Chelsea raise $500m from new US investor as multi-club model targeted
September 22 – Premier League Chelsea looks to have become more about the money than the football. The club, bought by Clearlake Capital and fronted by US investor Todd Boehly for £4.25 billion, has raised another $500 million in cash from US investor Ares Management.
Alexia Putellas says RFEF meeting will mark a watershed for women and sports in Spain
September 22 – The decision by Spain’s women players to terminate their boycott should be a “turning point” in her country for society as well as sport, says two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.
Kosovan FA says UEFA’s Romania sanction should be harder and sets a bad example
September 22 – The Football Association of Kosovo (FFK) has reacted strongly to UEFA’s decision to punish the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) with a fine of €52,000 and one match to be played in front of empty stands, saying the sanction should be greater.
In Flick’s footsteps. Germany put Nagelsmann in charge for home-hosted Euro 2024
September 22 – Less than two weeks after Hansi Flick’s departure, Germany have appointed Julian Nagelsmann as new manager to lead the national team until the European Championship on home soil.
CAF dials in Tecno Mobile as AFCON 2023 sponsor; Motsepe promises more to come
September 22 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has inveiled technology company TECNO Mobile as a sponsor of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Almost half of English stadia face climate hazards, finds study
September 22 – Almost half of all football stadiums in England are put at risk by climate change in the form of flooding, storms and heat waves, according to experts at insurer Zurich UK.
AC Milan raise the sponsorship bar with BOEM hard seltzer brand
September 22 – AC Milan have announced an all-new partnership with Italian Hard Seltzer producers BOEM that will see the alcoholic beverage become the Official Hard Seltzer of the Rossoneri.
UEFA ushers in another new era for European women’s game with inaugural Nations League
September 21 – UEFA’s inaugural Nations League will kick off a new era for European women’s football on Friday with more competitive matches, two tickets for the Olympic Games at stake, and an impact on qualifying for Euro 2025.
RFEF fires general secretary as it accelerates promises on reform
September 21 – Spain’s FA (RFEF) has dismissed yet another key figure and admits it “deeply regrets” its role in the “institutional crisis” in the wake of the country’s Women’s World Cup victory that was overshadowed by the ‘kissgate’ scandal.
UEFA shut doors on Romania after fans’ pro-Serbia, anti-Kosovo chants
September 21 – UEFA have punished the Romanian FA with an order to play its next home European Championship qualifier behind closed doors because of pro-Serbia chants by fans during a recent fixture with Kosovo.
Europa League kicks off with Liverpool as run-away favourites for fourth title
September 21 – Liverpool begin their Europa League campaign as hot favourites to lift the title for a fourth time with most odds being offered around 7/2. Compare this to Brighton at around 12-1 and Roma, third favourite at 16-1, bookies are taking no chances in terms of where they expect to be the UEL winners.
Argentina stay on top of the world after double win in opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers
September 21 – World champions Argentina remain top (1851 points) of the World Rankings after two wins from two in the opening round of CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 qualifiers, as the Albiceleste cruised past Ecuador and Bolivia without conceding a goal.