SAOT to make its English debut with FA Cup
February 14 – English football will use semi-automated offside technology for the first time in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the start of March.
Federations
LaLiga calls out Real Madrid over claims of ‘biased refs’ ‘manipulating’ games
February 12 – LaLiga has stepped up its ongoing war with Real Madrid by lodging a formal complaint with the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in response to the club’s open letter condemning the current refereeing system as “completely discredited” and vulnerable to “manipulation and tampering”.
Croatian FA looks to Kadena blockchain deal to upscale fan experience
February 12 – The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) and global blockchain company Kadena have announced a partnership running through 2028, including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 European Championship, aimed at delivering new types of experiences to Croatian national team fans, regardless of their location.
Spain’s Supreme Court clears RFEF president Rafael Louzan to remain in post
February 7 – After years of turmoil within the Spanish FA (RFEF), at last some positive news.
New RFEF chief Rafael Louzan (pictured) will remain in his post after the country’s Supreme Court granted his appeal against a seven-year ban from holding public office.
Rudi Garcia tasked with returning Belgian pride and winning teams
January 27 – Frenchman Rudi Garcia (pictured) has been named the new manager of Belgium following the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco. His contract runs through until the 2026 World Cup.
English FA spoil Welsh ambition and a happy Hollywood ending in Europe
January 27 – The Hollywood celebrity owners of Wrexham, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have had their hopes of an easy entrance for European glory dashed by the English Football Association (FA) as the FA have blocked the English Football League’s Welsh clubs’ plans to join a revamped Welsh League Cup next season.
Montenegro begins process of reconstructing City Stadium in Podgorica
January 22 – The Football Federation of Montenegro (FSCG) has announced that it is starting reconstruction of the City Stadium in Podgorica, used by the country’s national team.
French federation plans to turn Championnat National into Ligue 3 for 2026/27 season
January 20 – French football’s third tier is set for a dramatic makeover, with the Fédération Française de Football (FFF) announcing plans to transform the Championnat National into a professional Ligue 3 by the 2026-2027 season.
RFEF president apologies for harassment of Mallorca players’ wives at Super Cup in Saudi
January 17 – Spanish FA (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan has apologised for the treatment that the wives of Mallorca players suffered from Saudi Arabian fans during the recent Spanish Super Cup.
Belgium part company with Tedesco and Serneels
January 20 – Belgium have dismissed Domenico Tedesco (pictured) as their manager following disappointing results at last summer’s European championship and in the subsequent Nations League. The Belgian FA (RBFA) also fired Yves Serneels, the long-standing manager of the women’s national team.
Wrexham revise plans for Racecourse Ground to match club’s growing global demand
January 15 – Hollywood’s favourite football club, AFC Wrexham, is set to submit revised designs for a new 5,500-capacity stand at the Racecourse Ground to the local council at the beginning of next month.
Bank of America goes all-in with long-term US Soccer sponsorship
January 15 – The second largest banking organisation in the United States, Bank of America (BofA), is continuing its foray into the world of football. Hot on the heels of partnering with FIFA’s properties, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2025 World Club Cup, BofA, can now boast the US Soccer Federation as a long-term partner.
RFEF enters negotiations to keep Spanish Super Cup in Saudi
January 14 – After one of the most thrilling Supercopa Finals in the history of the competition, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) plans to extend the contract with Saudi Arabia for another five years so that the Super Cup will be held in this country until 2034.
Hollywood’s favourite team takes a step closer to European competition
January 14 – If the scales of power tip anymore in the favour of Wrexham FC, they’ll soon find themselves champions of Europe as well as Hollywood after plans have been revealed for a revamped Welsh League Cup that could hand power couple, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, a way into Europe pending approval from the English Football Association.
Bulgaria’s top tier clubs agree to cut second division into UEFA solidarity payments
January 14 – The clubs in the Bulgarian Second League are to receive €45,000 in financial assistance. The aid was following a meeting of club owners from the Efbet League (the first tier of football in Bulgaria) and a meeting with the president of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) Georgi Ivanov and the president of the Professional Football League (BPFL) Atanas Karaivanov.