James Dostoyevsky: Gone potty
So, the genius who doesn’t have much of a clue about football, other than watching soccer in his native USA, but decided to put a few associates together and buy Chelsea FC, has really stirred the pot now.
Europe
UEFA’s FAs gather in Lisbon for congress that will challenge gender bias
By Samindra Kunti in Lisbon
April 4 – Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness can write history by becoming the first female member of the UEFA executive committee to be elected in a direct contest against male candidates at UEFA’s annual Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday.
Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris launches three-club academy project
April 4 – Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris has announced a three-club partnership with Portugal’s Vitória Sport Clube and Egypt’s Zed FC. Vitoria is part-owned by Sawiris through his Eden Sports business while Zed FC is owned by his brother Naguib.
North Macedonian FA grants support funding to women’s top tier clubs
April 4 – The North Macedonian Football Federation (FFM) general secretary Filip Popovski (pictured) has said the federation is going to support all clubs in the Women’s First Division with a grant of €10,000.
Has Messi’s bubble burst? PSG fans whistle discontent as Lyon win and Barca rumours grow
April 3 – Lionel Messi’s name was met by whistles from his own Paris St-Germain fans on Sunday before they fell to a seventh defeat of 2023 at home to Lyon.
England supporters club asks UEFA to review fan treatment at Italy game
April 3 – UEFA has been asked to look into the treatment of England fans who attended last week’s 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Italy in Naples.
Chelsea beat Lyon on penalties to join Arsenal, Barca and Wolfsburg in WCL semis
March 31 – Arsenal and Chelsea have made it two English clubs in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals. The last time two English teams reached this stage was in the 2017-18 season.
Shakhtar Donetsk appeal to EC over change to player contract rule that has cost them €40m
March 31 – Shakhtar Donetsk have filed a complaint against FIFA to the European Commission, claiming the global governing body’s ruling allowing foreign players to suspend their contracts has cost them €40 million.
Iceland fire Vidarsson after poor start to Euro 2024 qualifiers
March 31 – Iceland’s FA have parted company with head coach Arnar Vidarsson (pictured) after an underwhelming start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Arsenal beat Bayern to join Barca in Women’s Champions League semi-finals
March 30 – Arsenal reached the Women’s Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 10 years after beating Bayern Munich 2-0 in their last-eight second leg tie on Wednesday to go through 2-1 on aggregate.
Angers president Said Chabane quits over sexual abuse allegations
March 30 – Said Chabane (pictured), president of French Ligue1 side Angers, has resigned following accusations of sexual assault.
Nigerian Shola Akinlade takes majority control of Denmark’s Aarhus Fremand
March 30 – Nigerian tech entrepreneur Shola Akinlade (pictured) has acquired a majority stake in Danish second-division club Aarhus Fremad through his American company Decimal Sport.
Sacramento Republic owner Nagle set to close deal for Huddersfield Town
March 29 – US businessman and chairman of second tier US club side Sacramento Republic, Kevin Nagle (pictured), is in the final stages of buying English Championship side Huddersfield Town.
Belgium give Germany a friendly lesson in performance revitalisation
By Samindra Kunti in Cologne
March 29 – It’s rare for Germany to be schooled on home soil, but on Tuesday night a barnstorming Belgium did just that with an impressive 3-2 friendly win, a result that handed Germany a reality check on the road to Euro 2024.
Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv seek naming rights sponsor for new stadium opening
March 29 – Bulgarian top tier club Botev Plovdiv has launched a search for a naming rights sponsor for its new ‘Hristo Botev’ stadium in the second largest city in Bulgaria. The 19,000-capacity stadium will be officially opened within the next month.