Poland bring in Paula Sousa to lead national team into Euros
January 22 – Poland will be coached by former Portuguese international Paulo Sousa (pictured) at the delayed Euro 2020 finals this year.
Europe
Real Madrid knocked out of Spanish Cup by third-tier giantkillers Alcoyano
January 21 – Rotation can backfire. An understrength Real Madrid crashed out of the Spanish Cup in the round of 32 at the hands of third-division club Alcoyano on Wednesday, increasing pressure on French coach Zinedine Zidane.
Amnesty and English FA issue training guide to opening up game to refugee women
January 21 – Amnesty International UK have joined with the English Football Association in issuing a free guide and online training series which aims to increase refugee women’s participation in grassroots football.
Messi and Ronaldo still make the cut in UEFA fan vote for 2020 teams of the year
January 20 – Five Bayern Munich players and seven Olympique Lyonnais stars dominate the UEFA.com men’s and women’s teams of the year, as voted for by almost 6 million fans on the website.
Europe’s 2027 Women’s World Cup bidders plan Feb tournament showcase
January 20 – Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, nations bidding to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, will play in a tri-nations tournament in February to promote their hosting credentials.
Atlético go to CAS in bid to keep Trippier playing despite betting ban
January 20 – As anticipated, Atlético Madrid have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to suspend the ban on their English international Kieran Trippier imposed by his national federation for breaching betting rules.
Interim England role for Norwegian Riise as Neville heads for Miami
January 202 – The English Football Association has appointed Hege Riise to take over the role as interim national women’s head coach and fill the hole left by the sudden departure of Phil Neville to Inter Miami.
England’s National League clubs face £11m question of continuing, or not
By Andrew Warshaw
January 19 – The top two tiers of English non-league football, known as the National League and National League north and south, are in danger of being called off because of funding – or lack of it.
Bundesliga boss says fans in stadia now unlikely before next season
January 19 – The German Bundesliga, a league renowned for its fan culture, doesn’t expect to see supporters return to stadiums until the 2021/22 season.
Barca election postponed as covid-lockdown prevents voters polling
January 18 – Barcelona’s eagerly awaited and intensely contested presidential election scheduled for January 24 has been postponed due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Reims win €4.7m in damages for 2015-16 relegation
January 18 – In a case dating back to the 2015-2016 season, the French Football Federation (FFF) has been ordered to pay Ligue 1 Reims €4.78 million by a local court over a relegation debacle that occurred in 2015-16.
England out in the cold as UEFA lines up its candidates for FIFA positions
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – English influence will remain absent from the top table of FIFA for at least two years as a result of the fallout over Greg Clarke’s resignation as FA chairman back in November.
Centralised Champions League final format could return, says Rummenigge
January 15 – Bayern Munich boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says UEFA are considering making changes to the Champions League’s structure to make it more compelling to fans and sponsors.
Trippier’s betting fraud ban starts to look pointless after FIFA intervention
January 15 – The English Football Association has failed in an attempt to revise the dates of international defender Kieran Trippier’s ban for breaching betting rules.
Euro 2020 12-city plan looks shaky as Covid spread sparks debate on venue reduction
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – Having already been postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, doubts are beginning to set in as to whether Euro 2020 can be played under its current 12-venue, pan-Continental format next summer.