DFL to trial referee announcements in an attempt to boost transparency
January 28 – In a move aimed at boosting transparency and fan engagement, the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga will trial public referee announcements during Matchday 20.
Europe
Euro winner Luis de La Fuente extends Spain contract
January 28 – Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has extended his contract until 2028 after leading the team to last year’s European Championship title.
Belgium’s Radja Nainggolan arrested as part of cocaine trafficking investigation
January 28 – Serie A champion, and former Belgian international, Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking into Europe from South America.
Rudi Garcia tasked with returning Belgian pride and winning teams
January 27 – Frenchman Rudi Garcia (pictured) has been named the new manager of Belgium following the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco. His contract runs through until the 2026 World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann to stay with German national team through to 2028 Euros
January 27 – Julian Nagelsmann has renewed his contract as head coach of the German national team for an extra two years beyond the 2028 European Championships.
UEFA’s shows zero tolerance of Serbia’s bad boys anti-Kosovan behaviour
January 27 – The Serbian FA has lost its appeal to UEFA over sanctions totalling €119,000 fine for fan misconduct during their Nations League match against Switzerland last November. Serbia’s appeal, challenging the original decision handed down in December, was rejected by the confederation’s Appeal Body on Friday, confirming the full extent of the penalties.
English FA spoil Welsh ambition and a happy Hollywood ending in Europe
January 27 – The Hollywood celebrity owners of Wrexham, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have had their hopes of an easy entrance for European glory dashed by the English Football Association (FA) as the FA have blocked the English Football League’s Welsh clubs’ plans to join a revamped Welsh League Cup next season.
Sampdoria and Finland’s Nora Heroum balances UEFA masters with a July play date at Euro 2025
January 24 – Transitioning from being a professional footballer to a working life outside of playing the game is one of the biggest challenges a player undertakes.
Flagging Dortmund leave Nuri Sahin behind as they seek return to form
January 24 – Less than a year after reaching the Champions League final, Borussia Dortmund have sacked their coach, Nuri Sahin, following Tuesday’s defeat at Bologna which left them 13th in the new-look league system.
CIES Observatory crowns Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres as world’s top goalscorer
January 23 – Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres has been revealed as the top scorer of 2024 by the CIES Football Observatory after a superb season for Sporting CP, netting 64 goals across the past twelve months, 54 for his club and 10 at national team level.
Ambitious plans announced for Benito Villamarín Stadium revamp in Betis
January 23 – Real Betis have released new renderings of their ambitious plan to modernise the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville, with construction slated to begin at the end of the current season.
French authorities ban Feyenoord fans from Champions League trip to Lille
January 23 – Feyenoord fans have been banned by French authorities from travelling to Lille for next week’s final Champions League group game between the two sides. France’s interior ministry expressed concerns about a “real and serious risk of confrontation” between the respective sets of supporters.
Police ban Apollon Limassol fans from Omonia 29M championship clash
January 23 – Nicosia police have banned Apollon Limassol fans from their upcoming Cypriot championship match at Omonia 29M. They have written to the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), informing them that the fixture at the Katokopia Stadium on January 25 is high risk, with serious trouble possible from fans of both clubs.
Naomi Girma joins Chelsea as women’s game’s first million dollar transfer
January 23 – In 1979, Trevor Francis became the first English footballer to command a £1 million transfer fee when he moved from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest. 46 years later Naomi Girma is set to make the first million-dollar transfer in women’s soccer history.
UK culture secretary attacks Tory opposition party for attempts to derail football regulator bill
January 22 – The UK’s culture secretary Lisa Nandy has called out the conservative party for seeking to “wreck” the football regulator bill, which has been designed to bring a degree of oversight to the top five professional tiers of English football.