October 12 – Portuguese legend Luis Figo, who ran for FIFA president two years ago before pulling out of the race with a stinging attack on the electoral process, has joined UEFA as a football advisor.
October 11 – The pots for the first ever UEFA Nations League have been confirmed, with the Netherlands, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, being handed some consolation by snatching a top spot from Wales following the final round of World Cup qualifying.
October 9 – In a first for footballing financial equality, Norway’s male and female players are to receive the same amount for representing their country.
October 4 – Spain’s players say they are focused solely on Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Albania and that they are getting tired of being asked about teammate Gerard Pique’s outspoken stance on the independence referendum in Catalonia.
October 4 – A section of Lazio’s stadium will be closed for two Serie A games following another outbreak of racist chanting by the Italian club’s fans during the 6-1 home win against Sassuolo last Sunday.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 3 – The Catalan independence movement continues to have a major impact on the region’s biggest club with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealing they would consider playing outside the country if the campaign to split with Spain is successful.
October 3 – Television viewers were somewhat alarmed to see a description of Newcastle United as “black and white scum” during a BBC highlights programme on Sunday night.
October 2 – Barcelona’s league game against Las Palmas was played behind closed doors at the 11th hour at the weekend as the Catalan referendum dispute spilled over into football.
October 2 – Five fans were injured when a barrier collapsed during a French top-flight match at the weekend. At least 29 people were hurt in the incident, which occurred in the 16th minute of Amiens’ Ligue 1 match with Lille.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 29 – The channel island of Jersey has won a partial victory in its bid to become a UEFA member, in the process giving European football’s governing body another unwanted headache over its admittance policy.
September 28 – There are all kinds of football chants directed at away supporters – but fans of Apoel Nicosia this week opted to denounce their British colonial past when Tottenham Hotspur came to town in the Champions League.
September 28 – A North Korean player on Perugia’s books has been barred from appearing on Italian TV – by the authorities in his own country.
By Paul Nicholson
September 27 – The English FA, recovering from the scandals surrounding the sacking of women’s national team coach Mark Sampson, has positive news for the women’s game with the announcement of a restructuring and expansion of the elite women’s game in the country.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 26 – Having only recently been elected as head of the European Club Association, the reputation of Andrea Agnelli has taken an immediate and somewhat embarrassing turn for the worse with the Juventus boss banned for a year by Italy’s soccer federation (FIGC) for his alleged role in the sale of match tickets to the club’s ultras fans.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 22 – For years, football’s European stakeholders – leagues, clubs and especially fans – have complained about meaningless friendlies and pushed for an alternative that makes games more competitive.