DFL renews contracts for key Bundesliga commercial bosses
May 29 – Germany’s DFL has extended the contracts of two of its key commercial executives, Peer Naubert and Bastian Zuber, until at least 2028.
Europe
UNICEF taps Dusan Vlahovic to lead the line for mental health project in Serbia
May 28 – Juventus striker and one of Serbia’s best-known players, Dusan Vlahovic, has become UNICEF’s partner in Serbia to support of the mental health of children and young people. Vlahovic is joining UNICEF’s ambassador-led initiative that includes Lionel Messi and David Beckham.
Union Saint-Gilloise end 90-year wait for Belgian league title
May 27 – Substitute Promise David led Union Saint-Gilloise to their first Belgian league title in 90 years on Sunday in a 3-1 victory against AA Gent, the culmination of a years-long renaissance and another stellar season.
Bonmatí scoops latest award as UEFA crown Barcelona star for third time
May 27 – UEFA has crowned Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí as the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Season, recognising the midfielder’s consistent brilliance despite her side falling short in their bid for a third successive European crown. The award, decided by UEFA’s Technical Observer Group, marks Bonmatí’s third consecutive win — a reflection of her dominance at the elite level of the women’s game.
Ronaldo ends volatile spell as Valladolid owner, selling up to US group
May 27 – Real Valladolid’s volatile ownership era under Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazário has come to an end following the sale of his majority stake to a North American investment group, the club confirmed late Friday. The deal concludes a six-year tenure that promised commercial transformation but ultimately delivered sporting instability, fan unrest, and diminishing returns both on and off the pitch.
Furious Aston Villa make refereeing complaint after Champions League failure
May 27 – The UEFA Champions League represents the pinnacle of club football in Europe, generating millions in revenue. That makes every refereeing decision potentially critical. Aston Villa learned this harsh reality following a controversial call at Old Trafford on Sunday that cost them qualification.
Arsenal outgun Barca’s women superstars to break Champions League duopoly
May 25 – Arsenal stunned FC Barcelona 1-0 to win the Women’s Champions League for a second time. Having beaten Lyon in the semi-final, Arsenal took the scalps of the two clubs who have dominated the European Women’s club game for a decade.
Luka Modrić to leave Real Madrid after 12 trophy-laden seasons
May 23 – Luka Modrić will bid farewell to Real Madrid this summer, with the Club World Cup marking the final chapter of his glittering 12-year career in the Spanish capital.
Women’s Super League attendances drop 5%, finds data report
May 23 – Women’s professional football is growing like crazy – it must be because everyone is saying it is. So a sobering piece of analysis by Sportscasting.com that finds England’s Women’s Super League matches showed a 5.1% drop in attendances over the 2024/25 season statistically flies in the face of accepted wisdom.
Disney+ wins Women’s Champions League TV rights from DAZN
May 23 – The UEFA Women’s Champions League has found a new home in the UK with Disney+ clinching a landmark five-year deal to broadcast European women’s football’s premier club competition, wresting the rights from DAZN who had held them for the past four seasons.
Tottenham Hotspur lift Europa League crown to earn Champions League berth
May 22 – Tottenham Hotspur ended a 17-year trophy drought on Wednesday evening by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao, earning a Champions League berth for next season in the process.
No Free Pass: EURO 2028 hosts will be required to qualify for UEFA showpiece
May 22 – In a dramatic break from tradition, UEFA European Championship hosts will need to qualify for EURO 2028, meaning joint-organisers England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland could face the unprecedented scenario of missing their own tournament.
Real Valladolid fans guilty of committing hate crime towards Vinicius Júnior
May 22 – Real Madrid superstar, Vinícius Júnior has been the victim of racist abuse during his time in Spain, however, the court system is now fighting back on the Brazilian’s behalf, finding five Real Valladolid supporters guilty of committing a hate crime.
Disabled fans fury at Europa League final ticket allocation
May 20 – Disabled supporters of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have expressed outrage at UEFA’s “woefully inadequate” allocation of just 52 accessible tickets for the Europa League Final in Bilbao, Spain. The San Mames stadium has a capacity of nearly 50,000.