World Cup winner Raphael Varane calls it a day
September 25 – Former Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has announced a shock retirement from football at just 31-years-old.
Europe
Partizan Belgrade ultras storm changing room and injure coach after record loss to Red Star
September 25 – The chaos swirling around Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade continued in full force on Monday night after an embarrassing 4-0 loss to arch-rivals Red Star Belgrade, the biggest home defeat in Partizan’s history.
Friedkins tell Roma fans that Everton buy doesn’t alter their focus on winning trophies
September 25 – Roma’s normally media-shy American owner has issued a statement to reassure fans after a turbulent week for the storied Italian club.
Lancashire bite night. FA investigates a Championship game that got a little too tasty
September 24 – The English FA has launched an investigation into claims that Preston forward Milutin Osmajic bit Blackburn’s Owen Beck during their Championship match on Sunday.
UEFA referees committee says Germany should have had a penalty in Euro quarter final
September 24 – UEFA has admitted that the decision not to award a penalty for Marc Cucurella’s handball during Spain’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-final was a mistake.
Welsh champions TNS to play Conference League home games in England
September 24 – Welsh club The New Saints, the first team from the Welsh leagues to ever qualify for European club competition, will play their league phase matches in the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League in England at the 9,875 capacity Croud Meadow, the home of Shrewsbury Town who play in England’s League 1.
Stadium levelled, CSKA Sofia appoints contractor to build €45m new venue
September 24 – Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia has begun the second stage of the reconstruction of the Bulgarian Army stadium in Sofia. Following the levelling of the old stadium, the club is now preparing for the construction of the new.
Rain causes sink hole at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane, forcing postponement of Newcastle cup tie
September 24 – Torrential rain has forced League 2 AFC Wimbledon’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Newcastle United to be postponed due to a sinkhole caused by heavy flooding at the club’s Plough Lane stadium.
Roma fans protest de Rossi’s departure as CEO Lina Souloukou exits
September 23 – Chaos has unravelled at Roma, one of Europe’s most iconic clubs, with the firing of a club hero, fan protests and now the resignation of the CEO.
Qatar Airways lands on more UEFA properties in deal that runs to 2030
September 20 – Qatar Airways has deepened its sponsor partnerships with UEFA becoming the official airline partner of the Champions League, in a deal that runs until 2030.
Franz Beckenbauer Platz 5 will be the new address of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Stadium
September 20 – The city of Munich is changing the address of Bayern Munich’s iconic stadium in honour of club legend Franz Beckenbauer.
Peter Willems tasked with bringing stability as he moves into CEO role at Belgian FA
September 20 – The Belgian FA (KBVB) has named Peter Willems as the new CEO of the governing body following a summer of chaos.
UEFA’s new Champions Innovate challenge targets promotion of healthy and active lifestyle
September 20 – The second edition of the Champions Innovate initiative has been launched with a challenge to startup companies to develop concepts promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
An English fan’s-eye view of French Ligue2 protests
Fans of French Ligue2 clubs have been protesting the move to playing league matches on Friday nights to satisfy their broadcast partner. The fans welcome their teams on to the pitch noisily, but when the game kicks off go silent. Graham Harrison a Leeds United fan holidaying in Brittany, France, with a football supporting friend decided to watch a Ligue2 Friday night match last week.
UEFA technical report details smart use of width, and impact of subs as two keys to Euro2024 success
September 19 – Spain’s tactical evolution is one of the standout findings from UEFA’s Euro 2024 Technical Report that details tactical trends and developments from the tournament.