Serie A boss warns of litigation ‘avalanche’ if season is not completed
April 6 – The head of Serie A has warned of a potential “avalanche of litigation” if the domestic season is not completed once Covid-19 eases.
Europe
Liverpool blow their ‘social’ credentials as club furlough low paid staff to take govt cash
April 6 – European champions and runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool were accused of betraying their “morals and values” after joining a number of other top-flight English clubs in furloughing non-playing staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
Walker sex party drives could leave Man City star socially distanced
April 6 – England defender Kyle Walker faces disciplinary action from his club Manchester City after reportedly breaking Covid-19 lockdown rules by hosting a party involving two sex workers.
UEFA and leagues say season must be finished as restart date debate suggests July
By Andrew Warshaw
April 3 – UEFA and Europe’s top leagues and clubs have agreed that abandoning the season because of Covid-19 should be the last resort amid hints that clubs may not be allowed into next season’s European club competitions if they don’t qualify in the usual way.
Belgian clubs risk UEFA ban as league refuses to reverse decision to end season
By Samindra Kunti
April 3 – In an unprecedented move Belgium has abandoned the rest of the season and crowned Club Brugge champions, despite UEFA issuing a warning against ending leagues early, and threatening expulsion from the Champions League and Europa League.
PFA backtracks as government tells players to ‘do the right thing…or face the consequences’
April 3 – Millionaire English Premier League stars must “share the financial burden” created by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, says their union.
‘If we can’t win our league, why should Liverpool be allowed to win theirs?’
By Andrew Warshaw
April 2 – One of the UK’s youngest and most courageous club owners has laid bare exactly what it means for teams outside the country’s four professional divisions to have their seasons closed down and all results expunged.
Beating the bug: English stakeholders locked in talks over pay and season restart options
April 2 – English football’s stakeholders have failed to reach agreement over across-the-board player pay cuts as talks continue to find ways of somehow salvaging the domestic season.
2021 Olympic date clash could see Women’s Euros moved back to 2022
April 2 – The 2021 women’s European Championship in England is the latest tournament to be put back a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to unconfirmed reports
Dutch float plan to end season by August 3 but Ajax sceptical of June restart
April 2 – While the Dutch top flight will remain on lockdown until June 1, the Dutch FA (KNVB) has revealed a tentative plan to finish the season by August 3.
Spurs boss Levy cuts wages but warns players must do their bit to keep football healthy
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has issued a stark warning about the global impact of Covid-19, saying “people need to wake up to the enormity” of the pandemic as the English Premier League club announced 550 non-playing staff will take a 20% pay cut.
Mediapro boss Roures says July restart would save season and reduce €700m of losses
April 1 – Spain’s La Liga could return behind closed doors in July, according to Jaume Roures, chief executive of Mediapro one of the country’s major broadcast partners – but would have to be scrapped for good if any players contract Covid-19 thereafter.
English FA extends indefinite season suspension to cover all leagues below top four tiers
April 1 – After attracting fierce criticism for shutting down all non-league football except for its two top leagues, English football authorities have now agreed to their indefinite suspension – but still controversially leaving the door open to finish the season.
UEFA calls federations to emergency talks on calendar as fears of losing season grow
By Andrew Warshaw
March 31 – With time running out and no sign of the Covid-19 pandemic easing in Europe, UEFA are set to hold emergency talks by video conference tomorrow with all of Europe’s 55 national football associations amid growing concerns that the season may have to be scrapped despite a collective will to try and restart fixtures by the end of June.
Barca players agree 70% wage cut, Messi says they were always going to
March 31 – Barcelona’s players have agreed to take a 70% pay cut so that the club’s other employees can earn their full salaries during the coronavirus crisis.