Police discover major cache of pyrotechnics as fans clash with police at Sofia derby
April 8 – A huge cache of rockets and explosive devices was seized before the start of Bulgaria’s biggest derby between Levski and CSKA Sofia on Sunday.
Europe
Unlucky seven for Belgium as Spain hand out a pasting in opening Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers
By Samindra Kunti in Leuven
April 8 – World champions Spain kicked off their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign with a 7-0 demolition job of Belgium as FC Barcelona’s Salma Paralluelo starred, scoring a hat-trick.
Football’s social media club giants swing into Champions League overdrive
April 8 – The battle this week in the Champions League quarter finals will also see some of Europe’s biggest football club social media accounts swing into action.
Economic metrics show UCL quarter final ties are evenly balanced
April 5 – With the UEFA Champions League (UCL) resuming next week at the quarter final stage, Football Benchmark has undertaken a financial analysis and comparison of the qualified clubs, examining the economic balance of the pairings.
Rubiales says he is being persecuted for being a man
April 5 – Disgraced former Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales remains defiant in the face of a possible prison sentence and suggests he’s being punished for being a man.
Wisla Krakow threaten to boycott Polish Cup final unless FA overturn ban on travelling fans
April 5 – Wisla Krakow have threatened to boycott the Polish Cup final if a ban on their fans attending the game is upheld.
Violence mars Croatian Cup semi-final between Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb
April 5 – Scenes of violence marked the Croatian Cup semi-final between Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb. After the match at the Poljud Stadium, which ended with a 1-0 victory to the visitors from Zagreb, the home team’s ultras broke through security on to pitch to confront the Hajduk players.
Hull boss Liam Rosenior demands racist abusers on social media are held accountable
April 5 – Hull City manager Liam Rosenior is the latest club manager to call for social media users to be made more accountable after being the target of online racist comments.
Spanish FA orders partial closure of Getafe stadium after racist insults
April 4 – Spanish top-flight club Getafe have been ordered to partially close their central stand for three matches by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following the racial and xenophobic abuse suffered by Sevilla manager Quique Sánchez Flores and player Marcus Acuna (pictured) in Saturday’s league game.
Turkish FA hits Trabzonspor with 6-match closed stadium sanction
April 4 – The Turkish Football Federation has ordered Trabzonspor to play their next six home matches in front of empty stands following the riots after the Super Lig match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce last month.
Rayo Majadahonda forfeit abandoned match and keeper banned after racist incident
April 4 – The goalkeeper of a Spanish third division club has been banned for two games after confronting a supporter who he claimed racially abused him.
Fenerbahce fans vote to remain in Turkish Super Lig, despite Trabzonspor chaos
April 3 – Fenerbahce members have voted against a proposal to withdraw from the Turkish Super Lig.
Varane says wider education needed on dangers of concussion injuries
April 3 – Manchester United’s French international defender Raphaël Varane has opened up alarmingly about how concussion has damaged his body as he stressed the importance of creating more awareness among players around the dangers of heading the ball.
Saarbrücken’s fairy tale cup run ends in semi-final loss to Kaiserslautern
April 3 – German third-tier club Saarbrücken’s astonishing journey in the DFB-Pokal, which included impressive victories over heavyweight clubs Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, came crashing down on Tuesday night after losing 2-0 to Bundesliga 2 side Kaiserslautern.
Adidas to redesign number 4 on Germany shirt and bans sales of 44 kit number
April 2 – The German FA and Adidas have withdrawn the sale of customised shirts incorporating the number 44 because of a resemblance to the logo of the Nazi Party’s notorious SS paramilitary units.