UEFA readies delegates and agenda for 9th medical symposium
January 22 – UEFA will hold its ninth medical symposium in Lugano, Switzerland, February 4-6 with a focus on the evolution of football medicine in the women’s game.
Europe
Opinions divided over bringing booze back to English stadia
January 22 – Last week it was announced that alcohol would be allowed in view of the pitch at an English football stadium. This pilot scheme, which is being conducted at Bristol City, Southampton, Birmingham and Newcastle is being carried out across the clubs’ remaining home league games of the season with some derby fixtures exempt, however, it is limited to the women’s game.
Antwerp continue to rely on owner Gheysens to balance books after more losses
January 21 – Belgian club Royal Antwerp registered losses of €12 million for the 2023-24 season, remaining reliant on owner and benefactor Paul Gheysens to balance the accounts.
LaLiga continuing to embrace crypto revolution with CoinW partnership
January 21 – LaLiga has continued its foray into the digital age by announcing CoinW as its newest regional partner for Taiwan and Hong Kong. The partnership, revealed during a press conference in Taipei, underscores the ever-tightening bond between cryptocurrency and the beautiful game.
Zingarevich debate yields few clues as to 10-year Bulgaria ban on Plovdiv owner
January 21 – A special committee in the Bulgarian parliament heard from the Chairman of the State Agency for National Security Plamen Tonchev and the Chairman of the State Intelligence Agency Antoan Genchev regarding the 10-year ban on Botev Plovdiv owner Anton Zingarevich from entering Bulgaria.
Belgian FA appoints Iceland’s Gunnarsdottir as new women’s national team boss
January 21 – Iceland’s Elisabet Gunnarsdottir has succeeded Yves Serneels as manager of the Belgian women’s national team with a contract until the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Amorim tells it as it is on “worst” Man United team in club’s history
January 21 – Talk about telling it like it is. It’s one thing criticising individual performances, quite another blasting the whole team.
But that’s what Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has done, delivering a withering assessment of the side and suggesting it might be the “worst” in the club’s storied history.
Former England prodigy Dele Alli in bid to resurrect career at Serie A’s Como
January 21 – He was once one of the most coveted talents in the English game before his career and life took a downward turn.
Now former England midfielder Dele Alli has joined Serie A strugglers Como in the latest attempt to revive a vocation that promised so much.
French federation plans to turn Championnat National into Ligue 3 for 2026/27 season
January 20 – French football’s third tier is set for a dramatic makeover, with the Fédération Française de Football (FFF) announcing plans to transform the Championnat National into a professional Ligue 3 by the 2026-2027 season.
EFL objects to its Welsh clubs competing in Welsh League Cup
January 20 – Last week, as reported in IWF, the Welsh clubs, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport and Wrexham were hopeful that they could open up lucrative pathways to Europe by competing and winning the Welsh League Cup. The wish now looks to be blocked by the Football Association.
RFEF president apologies for harassment of Mallorca players’ wives at Super Cup in Saudi
January 17 – Spanish FA (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan has apologised for the treatment that the wives of Mallorca players suffered from Saudi Arabian fans during the recent Spanish Super Cup.
Referee activates anti-racism protocol after Barca’s Balde abused at Getafe
January 20 – FC Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde has openly condemned the racist slurs he received during the club’s 1-1 draw with Getafe on Saturday night at the Coliseum stadium.
Courting couple: PSG and San Antonio Spurs agree collaboration
January 20 – The lines between sports are narrowing, and French super club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is leading the way as they begin a collaboration with five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) World Champions, the San Antonio Spurs.
Belgium part company with Tedesco and Serneels
January 20 – Belgium have dismissed Domenico Tedesco (pictured) as their manager following disappointing results at last summer’s European championship and in the subsequent Nations League. The Belgian FA (RBFA) also fired Yves Serneels, the long-standing manager of the women’s national team.
Cypriot FA under fire for lack of support of women’s teams and allegations of sexual harrassment
January 17 – Cypriot national player Elena Aristodimou (pictured) has sharply criticised the Cyprus Football Federation for its attitude towards women’s football in the country and the lack of any development in the last few years.