Belgians move to pro ref structure in bid to increase top level representation
April 28 – The Belgian FA (KBVB) has offered eight referees a two-year semi-professional contract in a move to modernise and upgrade refereeing in Belgium.
Europe
France’s LFP chiefs unveil battle plan to break into Europe’s Big 4
By Paul Nicholson
April 26 – French league president Nathalie Boy de la Tour and general secretary Didier Quillot have unveiled a new strategic plan for the French Football League (LFP) that will take them through to 2022 and close the gap on the English, Spanish, German and Italian leagues.
Ajax to rename Amersterdam ArenaA to celebrate club legend Johan Cruyff
April 26 – Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam will rename their stadium in honor of their greatest player Johan Cruyff, who died in 2016. Cruyff passed away on March 24 last year following a battle with lung cancer, he would have turned 70 yesterday.
Olympiacos title confirmed as they and AEK appeal closed-door sanctions
April 25 – Olympiacos have had their Greek league title win, the club’s 44th, confirmed after a hearing into reported fan trouble after a Greek Cup semi-final first leg match against AEK Athens resulted in a four game sanction for both clubs to play behind closed doors.
Bayern call for Merkel to intervene over ‘brutal actions’ of Spanish police
April 25 – In an unusual move, Bayern Munich have approached the office of German chancellor Angela Merkel to officially request an official explanation from the Spanish authorities for the behaviour of their police during last week’s Champions League quarter-final in Madrid.
Portuguese police investigate death of Fiorentina fan trying to flee fighting
April 25 – Portuguese authorities have opened an investigation into the death of an Italian supporter caught up in last weekend’s Lisbon derby between Sporting and Benfica.
FIFPro warns players away from Romania as pay situation worsens
April 24 – The international players’ union FIFpro has warned its members against signing for Romanian clubs because of the risk they will not get paid.
German police charge Dortmund bus bomber motivated by share scam
April 21- Police in Germany have charged a man suspected of being behind Tuesday’s bomb attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus but have ruled out terrorism.
Gibraltar FA to buy ‘home’ stadium on the Rock for £16.6m
April 19 – One of UEFA’s newest members, the Gibraltar FA, is to buy a stadium within its borders which will enable it to develop a venue where it will be able to host national team fixtures and European club matches.
Bastia fans twice invade pitch forcing Lyons match to be abandoned
April 17 – A French Ligue 1 match between Bastia and Lyon was abandoned at the weekend after the Corsican home fans twice invaded the pitch to try and attack opposition players.
Violent clashes delay start of Lyon vs Besiktas Europa League quarter-final
April 14 – Clashes between French and Turkish fans delayed a Europa League quarter-final kick off by 45 minutes on Thursday before Lyon came from behind to beat Besiktas 2-1, throwing into question next week’s return leg in Istanbul.
Dortmund complain UEFA gave players no choice over rescheduled Monaco game
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Handed a rare home defeat in their re-arranged Champions League quarterfinal first leg, Borussia Dortmund have thrown the book at UEFA claiming European football’s governing body “totally ignored” the players’ state of mind following the previous day’s explosions near the team bus that led to the fixture being postponed for a mere 24 hours.
EFL clubs confirm introduction of goalline technology for next season
April 13 – Goalline technology will be used in this season’s English Championship play-offs before being introduced in all second-tier matches in 2017-18.
Relaxed but eerie atmosphere in Dortmund as fans and clubs return to CL business
By Samindra Kunti in Dortmund
April 12 – It should have been a 90-minute football fest of supremely gifted talents, coached by Thomas Tuchel and Leonardo Jardim, two of the best in the business.
Fans, players and officials show solidarity in aftermath of Dortmund bus bomb
By Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – The football world has reacted with shock and dismay after Tuesday’s Champions League tie between Borussia Dortmund and Monaco had to be postponed because of three explosions close to the Dortmund team bus.