Montenegro sack Serbian Tumbakovic for refusal to turn up for Kosovo qualifier
June 10 – Montenegro’s FA (FSCG) has sacked their Serbian manager after he refused to lead the national side for a Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo.
Europe
Peace in our time. Agnelli insists all clubs, fat and thin, are behind the ECA/UEFA process
By Andrew Warshaw
June 7 – The umbrella body representing European clubs insists that peace and harmony has broken out among its members and that while there are understandable concerns about the future of the Champions League from all parties, there are no longer any divisions.
Man City battle to stay in Champions League with CAS appeal to block UEFA ban proposal
June 7 – Manchester City, desperate not to be punished by UEFA as they chase winning Europe’s premier club trophy, have filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to block UEFA’s pursuit of a Champions League ban for violating Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Calling all English villages. Have you lost your idiots?
June 6 – Ugly scenes between a minority of England fans and Portuguese police marred the Nations League semi-final in Guimaraes, tarnishing the image of travelling England fans once more. The Football Association has condemned the fans involved as “an embarrassment”.
Spanish and English lead rebellion within ECA over plans for Champions League carve-up
June 6 – A potentially pivotal two-day summit of Europe’s leading clubs to discuss controversial proposals to revamp the Champions League has been plunged into disarray with the Spanish and English both openly rebelling against the plans.
Infantino returns to Club World Cup plan saying the Europeans will be in 24-team mix
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 5 – No sooner had he been re-elected FIFA president for another four years than Gianni Infantino subjected himself to an hour of media scrutiny with his pet project, an expanded Club World Cup in 2021, top of the agenda.
French president Macron angers Euro nations with warning on Champions League revamp
June 5 – French President Emmanuel Macron has angered European football chiefs by wading into the debate over UEFA’s proposals to overhaul the Champions League in 2024.
Macron reportedly urged UEFA to abandon the concept during an opening event for the Women’s World Cup that begins Friday and was delivered in front of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.
Former UEFA president Lennart Johansson dies, aged 89
June 5 – Lennart Johansson, the longest-serving president of UEFA and one of the great statesmen of European football who campaigned tirelessly for fair play on and off the field, has died at the age of 89.
Madrid authorities prepare for influx of more than 40,000 ticketless Liverpool and Spurs fans
By Samindra Kunti in Madrid
May 30 – After a protracted three-week build up, Liverpool and Tottenham will provide the grand finale of the European club season on Saturday in the Spanish capital with an army of British fans invading the city ahead of the Champions League final.
Tebas lashes out at ‘toxic and detrimental’ Champions League proposals and denies racism
By Samindra Kunti in Madrid
May 31 – At a seminar ahead of the Champions League final La Liga boss Javier Tebas again slammed the plans of UEFA and ECA to reform European football from 2024 with a continental Super League. He also rubbished what he deemed insinuations of racism by Manchester City boss Khaldoon Al-Mubarak.
Pochettino says it will be emotional, Kane is ‘ready to go’, only Liverpool stand in the way
By Andrew Warshaw
May 31 – They are the underdogs with the bookmakers, are in unchartered territory and face a side desperate to make up for the pain of 12 months ago. But as the old cliché goes – or two clichés to be precise – it’s 11 versus 11 and anything can happen on the day when Tottenham Hotspur take on firm favourites Liverpool for Champions League glory on Saturday.
UEFA pick France’s le Graet to fill FIFA Council slot left vacant by Grindel
May 30 – With FIFA’s ruling Council meeting in Paris on Monday, UEFA have been quick to bring their representation on the decision-making body up to its full quota of eight by electing veteran Frenchman Noel le Graet to replace the disgraced Reinhard Grindel.
More fizzle than sizzle as Chelsea dump Arsenal in Baku
By Samindra Kunti in Baku, Azerbaijan
May 30 – Chelsea demolished London rivals Arsenal to win the Europa League 4-1 after a soporific first-half and a 23-minute second-half onslaught that left Arsenal reeling and reflecting on a failed season. The North Londoners will miss out on Champions League football for a fourth consecutive season.
Swiss clubs join rejection of ECA’s ‘unacceptable’ plan for Europe
May 30 – Switzerland’s 20 first and second division clubs have unanimously turned their backs on much-publicised plans to overhaul the Champions League as fears over a split between leagues and clubs intensifies.
Neymar Snr and Fabio Capello to headline at Edinburgh Sports Conference
May 30 – The line-up for the Edinburgh Sports Conference, September 5-6 – titled ‘The Future of Football Transfers and Players’ Agents’ – will have Neymar Snr as one of its keynote attractions.