Prosecutors seek 4-year doping ban for Pogba
December 8 – Anti-doping prosecutors in Italy have requested a maximum four-year ban for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba after the French 2018 World Cup winner tested positive for testosterone.
Governance
UEFA launches women’s health expert panel with surge in ACL injuries their first focus
December 7 – UEFA has introduced a women’s health expert panel with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and their alarming occurrence in the women’s game.
UEFA gathers federations for third regional anti-matchfixing forum in Athens
December 1 – UEFA joined forces with the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF), the Council of Europe, the International Olympic Committee, Interpol and the Greek National Platform for Sport Integrity (EPATHLA) for a series of meetings and workshops – tagged Sport Integrity Week – that focused on fighting match-fixing.
UEFA fines Celtic for pro-Palestine protest banners at UCL game against Atletico
November 23 – Celtic have been fined a total of €29,000 by UEFA over a number of incidents surrounding their Champions League with Atletico Madrid, mainly over pro-Palestinian displays.
UEFA and DFB sign Euro 2024 human rights pact
November 15 – UEFA and the German FA (DFB) have jointly signed the Human Rights Declaration for Euro 2024 stating that the two organisations will uphold and protect human rights during the event, and “create a framework for the implementation of related processes”.
PAOK deny Aberdeen’s Pape Habib Gueye was racially abused in Conference League tie
November 15 – UEFA is to investigate allegations of racial abuse towards Aberdeen’s Senegalese striker Pape Habib Gueye by PAOK Salonika fans in their recent Europa Conference League game.
Serbia to appeal another stadium ban for its racist fans ahead of deciding Euro 2024 qualifier
November 2 – UEFA’s disciplinary committee has fined the Serbian FA (FSS) €90,000 and a game behind closed doors for racist chants by Serbian fans aimed at Montenegro during a Euro 2024 qualifier on October 17.
European Leagues boss critical of FIFA’s ghosting of professional game over calendar
October 27 – The head of the European Leagues, the umbrella body for leagues across the continent, has re-iterated criticism of football’s governing bodies – in particular FIFA – for failing to consult with his members over the expansion of the international calendar.
Celtic fans fly Palestinian flags before Champions League clash with Atletico
October 26 – Hundreds of Celtic fans defied their own club’s request and paraded a giant display of Palestinian flags before their Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
European Court of Justice sets December date for final ruling on Super League case
October 25 – The European Court of Justice will deliver its binding verdict on the validity of the European Super League on December 21, ruling on the case against UEFA.
‘Disenfranchised’ Parish says UEFA compromised by big clubs and game needs a regulator
By Samindra Kunti in Brussels
October 12 – Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has called for a proper regulator and organiser in European football to address the structural issues in the game, including the widening financial inequality among clubs.
UEC attacks ECA ‘plutocracy’ saying UEFA will have to recognise their voice
By Samindra Kunti in Brussels
October 11 – Attacking the European Club Association (ECA) once again, the Union of European Clubs (UEC) reiterated that with a critical mass of members, it will become a key stakeholder in the European game and represent the interests of the continent’s small and medium-sized clubs.
UEFA’s top table bows to MA pressure and takes Russian U17 return off the menu
October 11 – UEFA has axed its controversial plan to allow Russian under-17 teams back into its international competitions following a widespread backlash amongst its own member countries.
UEFA calls off Israel’s home matches after Hamas terrorists launch assault from Gaza
October 9 – UEFA has postponed all matches scheduled to take place in Israel over the next two weeks following Saturday’s surprise infiltration of the country by Hamas and the shocking death toll that ensued.
Nilsson quits Swedish sports body after loss of trust over support for Russian return at UEFA
October 9 – UEFA vice-president Karl-Erik Nilsson (pictured) is no longer the president of the Swedish Sports Confederation (RFE) after pressure over the European governing body’s decision to ease the blanket ban on Russian teams.