Leverkusen just one game away from breaking Bayern’s decade of dominance
April 12 – One more win is all that separates Bayer Leverkusen from their first ever German title having finished as runner-up five times.
News
Israelis build political allies within Conmebol ahead of FIFA’s Congress in May
April 11 – The Israeli FA (IFA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with South American confederation Conmebol, a partnership that comes at a significant political moment.
Montenegro league title battle disrupted as ultras throw flares and firecrackers at players
April 10 – The top of the table battle for the Montenegrin First League between FC Dedic and Buducnost was interrupted for more than 40 minutes after the game stopped in the 24th minute when the visiting fans from Podgorica started throwing flares and firecrackers on to the pitch.
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.
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.
City Football Group add Istanbul Basaksehir ‘collaboration’ to club portfolio
February 18 – City Football Group (CFG) have expanded their club portfolio yet again, announcing a “football collaboration agreement” with Turkish Super Lig side Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group of European MEPs call on FIFA and UEFA to ban Israel from football
February 16 – A group of Members of the European Parliament has written to FIFA and UEFA demanding Israel be banned from international football over the ongoing war in Gaza.
Barca’s Laporta says ESL is still alive and doesn’t give a f**k if English don’t turn up
February 5 – Despite UEFA insisting the project is dead in the water, Barcelona president Joan Laporta (pictured) says a European Super League could be up and running as soon as next season.
Japan, Canada and Brazil join US from Spring edition of SheBelieves Cup
January 22 – The US Soccer Federation has announced that Japan, Canada and Brazil will join them for the ninth edition of this Spring’s SheBelieves Cup.
Kay Bernstein, Herta Berlin ultra who became president, dies, aged 43
January 17 – Hertha Berlin president Kay Bernstein, a former supporter who surprisingly took over the presidency of the club in 2022, has died suddenly at the age of 43, the club said in a statement.
Fifpro survey finds stadium security needs improvement
January 12 – Security in stadiums must be improved and sanctions strengthened to deter physical and verbal abuse of footballers, according to a survey by the players’ union Fifpro.
World mourns death of Franz Beckenbauer, 78, one of football’s classiest acts
By Andrew Warshaw
January 9 – Tributes are pouring in from across the globe in memory of Germany’s greatest footballing icon, Franz Beckenbauer, one of only three men to lift the World Cup both as a player and manager and known in his playing days as Der Kaiser (‘the Emperor’).
Turkish Super Cup called off after Saudi organisers ban Ataturk t-shirts and banners
January 2 – Turkey and Saudi Arabia are blaming each other for the embarrassing last-minute abandonment of the Turkish Super Cup final between arch-rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce which had been due to take place in Riyadh last Friday.
Inter Miami add Saudi trip to pre-season and a Messi vs Ronaldo re-run
December 13 – In the latest coup for Saudi Arabia, the Arab Kingdom will host two Inter Miami pre-season matches, including a rematch between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who now plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr.