German court rules clubs must cover costs of match-day policing
January 14 – In a landmark ruling, a German court has established that football can be billed for the costs of policing during high-risk matches.
Europe
RFEF enters negotiations to keep Spanish Super Cup in Saudi
January 14 – After one of the most thrilling Supercopa Finals in the history of the competition, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) plans to extend the contract with Saudi Arabia for another five years so that the Super Cup will be held in this country until 2034.
Hollywood’s favourite team takes a step closer to European competition
January 14 – If the scales of power tip anymore in the favour of Wrexham FC, they’ll soon find themselves champions of Europe as well as Hollywood after plans have been revealed for a revamped Welsh League Cup that could hand power couple, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, a way into Europe pending approval from the English Football Association.
More trouble at Barca as dealmaker Guiu exits over Nike differences
January 14 – Despite winning the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia beating their El Classico rivals, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona still have more than their fair share of backroom drama. A key Barca management figure, vice president Juli Guiu has resigned, effective immediately.
German FA renews Coca-Cola sponsorship and styles up with Marc O’Polo fashion brand
January 1 – The German Football Association (DFB) has unveiled a new multi-year partnership with Scandinavian clothing brand Marc O’Polo, naming it the official fashion partner for its men’s and women’s senior and under-21 national teams.
Bulgaria’s top tier clubs agree to cut second division into UEFA solidarity payments
January 14 – The clubs in the Bulgarian Second League are to receive €45,000 in financial assistance. The aid was following a meeting of club owners from the Efbet League (the first tier of football in Bulgaria) and a meeting with the president of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) Georgi Ivanov and the president of the Professional Football League (BPFL) Atanas Karaivanov.
Saudi fans harass Mallorca players’ wives leaving King Adbullah Sports City stadium
January 13 – The wives of Mallorca players have said they were harassed after the club’s Spanish Super Cup game in Saudi Arabia.
UEFA reaches out to sister confederations with Together development programme
January 13 – UEFA has announced the launch of a new international initiative, UEFA Together, aimed at fostering the development of football worldwide via partnerships with its sister confederations and their national federations.
FA Cup drama sees Spurs struggle past Tamworth and 10-man Man Utd out-gun Arsenal on penalties
January 13 – They came close to abject humiliation in what would have been one of the greatest FA Cup upsets of all time.
Barca hammer Real Madrid to win Spanish Super Cup in Saudi
January 13 – Not many neutrals saw this coming given the respective form of the two teams.
Turkish federation says foreign VAR officials will be drafted in for rest of SuperLig season
January 13 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has taken urgent measures following criticisms of refereeing in its Super League, with Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho having been in the vanguard of the fury.
Serie A clubs keep faith in De Siervio’s commercial leadership
January 13 – Luigi De Siervo has been re-elected as chief executive of Serie A, securing strong backing from the league’s 20 clubs despite controversies surrounding recent media rights sales and the hosting of the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia.
National Assembly to provide reasons for exclusion of Botev Plovdiv’s Russian owner from Bulgaria
January 10 – Bulgaria’s National Assembly is to debate the case of Botev Plovdiv’s Russian owner Anton Zingarevich, who has been banned from entering the country.
Women’s Championship clubs in England to trial drinking alcohol in the stands
January 10 – Drinking alcohol in the stands of English football grounds and stadium areas with views of the pitch was banned in 1985, however, four championship clubs from the women’s game will now take part in a new pilot program to allow fans to drink alcohol in the stands.
Spanish sports council grants Barca permission to register Olmo and Victor
January 9 – Spain’s national sports council (CSD) has granted Barcelona provisional permission to register Dani Olmo (pictured) and Pau Victor, following an appeal by the club after earlier rejections from La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).