Greek god: Yaya Touré makes triumphant return to Olympiacos
September 5 – Yaya Touré is a football ‘legend’ but for the fans of Olympiacos he is now elevated to the ranks of the Immortals.
Performance
Platini enters VAR debate questioning its ‘progress’, ‘justice’ and FIFA’s self-serving stats
August 29 – Still banned over that infamous ‘disloyal payment’ from Sepp Blatter, former UEFA boss Michel Platini has entered the debate over video assistant referees saying the system has done next to nothing to help the game.
Bolt getting up to speed for his Central Coast Mariners debut down under
August 28 – Retired sprint legend Usain Bolt is set to make his footballing debut for Australian club side Central Coast Mariners saying he will be more nervous than during his illustrious track career when he won eight Olympic gold medals.
VAR could debut in Champions League at quarterfinal stage
August 22 – UEFA, whose president Aleksander Ceferin has resisted video assistant referees in his club competitions, are considering a partial about-turn and could introduce VARs in the Champions League from the quarterfinal onwards, according to The Times newspaper.
Spain and Japan head for U20 Womens World Cup final showdown
August 21 – Spain and Japan reached their maiden U-20 Womens World Cup final after eliminating hosts France and England respectively. The tournament will culminate on Friday in Vannes with the final showdown.
Modrić, Ronaldo and Salah shortlisted for men’s award, Harder, Hegerberg and Henry for women’s
August 21 – UEFA have unveiled the top three shortlists for the men’s and women’s player of the year awards. The winners will be announced August 30 at the Champions League group draw in Monaco.
Ronaldo-fever in full flow as he debuts for Juve in last gasp win at Chievo
August 20 – Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t score on his debut as Juventus edged past Chievo Verona 2-3, but the Portuguese superstar’s landing in Italy has firmly turned the spotlight on Serie A, with the league’s commercial appeal skyrocketing.
Zenit comeback makes history but no-one is there to see it
August 17 – Zenit St Petersburg produced one of the greatest comebacks in European history on Thursday – but there were no fans inside the stadium to see it.
First honours to Atletico as extra-time goals beat Real in UEFA Super Cup
August 16 – Is this the season where the red and white half of Madrid gets the better of their more globally successful, if not illustrious, rivals?
Deadline scramble as Chelsea agree record €80m for Spanish keeper Arrizabalaga
August 9 – The world record fee for a goalkeeper has been smashed yet again with Chelsea signing Spain’s Kepa Arrizabalaga for €80 million as the summer transfer window in the UK prepares to slam shut.
US medic calls for restriction on heading the ball in professional game
August 8 – A leading authority on brain injuries has added his voice to growing calls, especially in the United States, for headers to be restricted in the professional game and to be banned for those under the age of 18.
Cameroon go Dutch with Seedorf and Kluivert
August 6 – Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf has been appointed the new coach of Cameroon with his compatriot and former international teammate Patrick Kluivert named his assistant. The Dutch duo will lead Cameroon as the defending African champions battle to retain the right to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations.
Butcher quits Philippines job before a ball is kicked
August 3 – Former England captain Terry Butcher has quit as Philippines head coach after just 50 days before he had taken charge of a single match.
Inter Milan add 7th Chinese academy with Hong Kong launch
August 1 – Inter Milan has launched another of its Inter Academy projects in China, this time in Hong Kong, taking the number of Chinese academies to seven.
FIFPro says World Cup stars are being called back into Euro club action too early
July 31 – The international players’ union FIFPro says that at least 15 players who performed at the World Cup have taken part in UEFA club competitions less than four weeks after returning from Russia – not nearly enough time, it says, to recuperate properly.