Man Utd comms chief flies south to take up UEFA role
February 27 – After 14 years at Manchester United, Phil Townsend is joining UEFA as its new managing director of communications in succession to Pedro Pinto.
Europe
VAR is not ready for Champions League, says Ceferin, even if FIFA puts it in World Cup play
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – Video assistant referees (VAR) will not be used in European competition next season even if they are approved for this summer’s World Cup, according to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
Ceferin and UEFA crush Jersey ambition, voting not to recognise the island as a nation
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – Despite a measured and convincing plea to the whole of Europe to “put football first”, Jersey’s application to become the 56th member of UEFA was crushed at the organisation’s annual congress today when not a single federation supported its bid for inclusion.
Betting on Football conference warms gambling brands up for Russia 2018 battle
February 28 – More than 200 betting industry experts will be sharing their knowledge and opinions on a wide range of subjects in and around football and betting at next month’s Betting on Football.
Belgian clubs look for consensus on revamping Pro League format
By Samindra Kunti
February 23 – League reform was high on the agenda at a meeting of Belgian’s Pro League following plenty of discontent over the play-offs system, which was introduced in the 2009/10 season. A 14-team league in the current format with play-offs has been mooted as viable future alternative.
EFL clubs vote to close summer transfer window before season start
February 23 – English Football League clubs have voted in favour of falling into line with the Premier League and shutting the summer transfer window closer to the start of the season so that everyone knows their squads before the big kickoff, a move that has long been debated across the professional game.
Police officer dies as Spartak fans run riot in Bilbao at Europa League clash
February 23 – A police officer has died of a heart attack following violent clashes between rival fans before Athletic Bilbao’s home Europa League match against Spartak Moscow on Thursday.
VfB Stuttgart and Hanover 96 push Bundesliga crowd figures up 8%
February 16 – Germany’s Bundesliga has reported first half of 2017-18 season attendances as being the second-highest average attendance in Bundesliga history at 43,429 fans per match.
English FA bridges Qatar divide with ‘knowledge-sharing’ agreement
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – Football politics moves in unpredictable ways. Not so long ago, then English FA chief Greg Dyke criticised Qatar being awarded the rights to stage the 2022 World Cup as the “worst moment” in FIFA’s history.
Five minutes of make or break. Jersey makes its bid for UEFA membership
By Paul Nicholson
February 14 – The Jersey FA is seeking to become the 56th member of UEFA at the confederation’s Congress in Bratislava, Slovakia, next week. The island nation, part of the British Isles, has increased its lobbying and sharpened its case for inclusion, including making its case to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
Spanish FA set April date for vote on Villar’s successor
February 13 – Just days after a FIFA delegation led by secretary general Fatma Samoura, met with Spanish officials to discuss concerns about government interference in the aftermath of veteran powerbroker Angel Villar’s demise, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced it is finally holding elections in April to select Villar’s replacement.
Serie A target La Liga boss Tebas in big money transfer
February 13 – La Liga and Serie A are in battle for the services of Javier Tebas, the longstanding and mercurial Spanish league president. The Italian league has made an approach to lure him away from Spain.
Portugal clinch their first Euro Futsal title, while Iran run away with their 12th in Asia
February 12 – Portugal claimed their maiden UEFA Futsal Championship title by defeating Spain 3-2 in extra time in Slovenia. In Asia, Iran took the highest honours, beating Japan 4-0.
Out in the cold: Rosell suffers in prison in freezing conditions and near solitary confinement
February 8 – How are the mighty fallen. As a former president of Barcelona and a key figure in the European Clubs Association, Sandro Rosell was used to the high life. Not any longer.
Regan steps aside as Scottish FA boss talking of a ‘need for change’
February 2 – A month before he was due to take part in a key vote to decide the future of video technology, Stewart Regan has stepped down as chief executive of the Scottish Football Association after eight years saying he recognised the “need for change”.