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.
Europe
Burnley owner warns Brexit will harm Premier League player movement and pay
August 16 – Brexit could be “hugely damaging” to English football, according to the chairman of Premier League club Burnley. Mike Garlick (pictured) warned that the end of freedom of movement and the fall in the value of the pound will harm British clubs.
Germans revamp flailing VAR systems for kick off of the Bundesliga
By Samindra Kunti
August 14 – Defending champions Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim kick off the new Bundesliga season this week and will be the first test of Germany’s reworked approach to the usage of the video assistant referee (VAR) system and technology.
‘Football in only five countries, I do not like it,’ says Savićević
August 14 – Montenegro FA president Dejan Savićević has spoken about the dangers of competitive balance in European football as the larger nations grow in concentration of wealth.
Forest fans and owner Marinakis show solidarity with Greeks in wildfire tragedy
August 14 – Nottingham Forest and their key supporter groups have united to raise funds for those affected by the tragic wildfires in Greece that killed 93 as they spread around the Athens area.
Swiss FA chief Miescher forced to quit over dual nationality comments
August 13 – Alex Miescher has been forced to quit as general secretary of the Swiss football federation as a result of controversial comments he made about Swiss players having dual nationality.
Klyver clobbered, Strum Graz could be next after UEFA opens disciplinary case
August 13 – UEFA have opened a disciplinary case after an assistant referee’s head was cut open by an object thrown by a fan in a Europa League tie.
Exclusive: Turkey pushes 2024 ‘new frontier’ credentials as Germany’s Ozil abuse bites
By Andrew Warshaw
August 10 – The head of Turkey’s bid for the 2024 European Championship, Servet Yardimci, believes the recent racism row involving Mezut Ozil could work in Turkey’s favour when they take on the might of Germany next month in a two-horse race to land the tournament.
Betting on Sports Week lines up 250+ speakers across 90 content sessions
August 9 – There are just six weeks to go before the Betting on Sports Week conference and exhibition at London’s Olympia. More than 250 speakers are lined up for the four-day event taking place September 18-21.
Collina blows final whistle on UEFA role, Rosetti takes charge
August 2 – Pierluigi Collina, appointed UEFA’s first ever chief refereeing officer following his retirement as one of the world’s top officials in 2005, has relinquished the post and been placed by Roberto Rosetti.
Rummenigge calls for end to 50+1 rule to enable Bundesliga clubs to be more competitive
July 31 – It’s regarded as the bastion of commercial fair play in an increasingly money-driven world. But Bayern Munich Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the time has come to scrap Germany’s so-called 50-plus-one structure which effectively bars wealthy overseas investors, many with no previous football experience, from seizing control of clubs.
Fergie thanks medical teams and looks forward to return to Old Trafford
July 27 – Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken publicly for the first time since returning from hospital following emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage in May.
UEFA fine Marseilles and threaten Euro ban unless fans behave
July 26 – Marseille face a one-year suspension from European competitions unless the behaviour of their fans improve, UEFA have warned.
Roma owner Pallotta benched after referee ‘joke’ comments after CL semi vs Liverpool
July 23 – Roma’s American billionaire owner James Pallotta has been handed a three-month suspension by UEFA for comments after their Champions League semi-final defeat by Liverpool.
Hannover 96 vow to overturn ‘incomprehensible’ 50+1 DFL ruling
July 20 – Hannover 96 failed in its bid to get an exemption from Germany’s 50+1 ruling to allow the Bundlesliga club’s president Martin Kind (pictured) to take control, but has said it will appeal against the German Football League (DFL) ruling.