UEFA medical chief says there is ‘no way’ Euros won’t be played
February 25 – The delayed Euro 2020 will definitely go ahead in June and fans could yet be allowed to attend according to UEFA’s top medical official.
Europe
English FA calls end to non-league season as Covid-cancelled fixtures pile up
February 25 – After weeks of uncertainty, the non-league game in England below the top two levels has been curtailed for the second successive season.
Norway to open ‘home’ 2022 qualifying campaign in Spain, against Turkey
February 25 – Norway will play its first ‘home’ World Cup qualifier on neutral venue in Spain next month because of travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
DFL readies tender for international rights sell off to private equity investors
February 25 – The German Football League (DFL) is to invite investment bids for a minority stake in its overseas media rights business, according Bloomberg.
Clarke and Howe favourites for Celtic hot seat vacated by Lennon
February 25 – Scotland national manager Scotland manager Steve Clarke and former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe are reported to have emerged as early favourites to replace Neil Lennon, who resigned on Tuesday as Celtic manager after a disastrous season in charge.
Coronavirus: Travel restrictions and safety issues force UEFA to cancel U19 championships
February 24 – UEFA has cancelled the 2021 Women’s and Men’s Under-19 Championships because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lennon walks away from Celtic as Rangers run away with title
February 24 – Celtic manager Neil Lennon has resigned with the Glasgow giants 18 points behind arch-rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership table.
Real Madrid caught in alleged tax evasion scheme over on-line commercial rights
February 23 – Real Madrid have become embroiled in a new potential tax evasion scandal following unconfirmed reports that it allegedly tried to keep part of the proceeds from the sale of a commercial rights with the help of two companies, possibly fictitious, based in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands.
Gravina returned as FIGC boss as Italy plans to host Euro 2020 kick-off, with fans
February 23 – Gabriele Gravina was re-elected as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Monday and will now lead the federation until 2024, having amassed 73.45% of the votes.
UK government scotches report it has offered to host Euro2020
February 22 – Britain’ health secretary Matt Hancock has shot down a newspaper report which suggested the UK may be ready to host next summer’s delayed Euro 2020.
Mali and RB Salzburg pair crash after altitude sickness pills land then with a doping ban
February 22 – Two Mali players with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg have been handed three-month doping suspensions.
FIFA’s Wenger warns UEFA it could kill its Champions League with new format plans
February 19 – Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Development since the end of 2019, has hit out at proposals to overhaul the Champions League, warning that fans will be turned off if the competition is watered down.
European Leagues’ Olsson warns new CL format could ‘cannibalise’ domestic TV deals
February 19 – The president of the European Leagues Lars-Christer Olsson (pictured) has sounded a warning about the proposed Swiss model for the Champions League, saying extra European fixtures will ‘cannibalise’ domestic TV rights across the continent.
Bundesliga and Premier League slam Super League project; PL eager for fan return
February 19 – English Premier League chief executive Richard Masters (pictured) and his Bundesliga counterpart Christian Seifert have both opposed the much-rumoured plans to form a breakaway European super league to replace the Champions League.
Fan worshipped Buffon fined for blasphemy
February 19 – Veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been fined €5,000 by the Italian Football Federation for blasphemy.