Barca scramble for work-arounds as return to Nou Camp looks set for further delay
December 19 – The highly anticipated return of FC Barcelona to their spiritual home, the iconic Camp Nou, looks set to be delayed yet again.
Europe
Botev Plovdiv seek answers from government for banning of club’s Russian owner from Bulgaria
December 19 – Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv management has invited the deputies of six political parties to a meeting as the club seeks answers to questions on the travel restrictions imposed on the club’s Russian owner, Anton Zingarevich.
UCCSA set tender launch date for Women’s Champions League media rights for 2023-30 cycle
December 19 – UEFA Club Competitions SA (UCCSA), the joint venture between UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) that manages the commercial business of UEFA’s club competitions, will launch a tender process for Women’s Champions League media rights on January 3.
Are the lunatics taking over the asylum? A22 applies to UEFA and FIFA to sanction its look-a-like league
December 18 – The European Super League (ESL) is dead in name only. It’s backer, A22 Sports Management, has proposed an alternative league hierarchy compromising 95 clubs across four leagues.
UEFA launch tender for Euro 2028 hospitality partner
December 18 – UEFA has begun the first stage of a tender for exclusive hospitality sales, marketing and production rights for UEFA EURO 2028, publishing a Request for Information (RFI) to hospitality companies worldwide.
Sloboda Tuzla owner fires his whole playing department after just 2 points and 5 goals from 17 matches
December 18 – Sloboda Tuzla, a club from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Premier League, has fired all of its coaches and players following a string of poor results. The news was delivered by club president Azmir Husić (pictured) after the team’s final match of the year.
England, France and Netherlands drawn together in Euro 2025 ‘group of death’
December 17 – Women’s Euro 2021 champions England will open their title defence against France at the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland next summer.
UEFA boosts Euro 2025 prize money to €41m with per diems set at €657 per player
December 17 – Prize money for next summer’s 2025 Women’s European Championship will increase by a whopping 156% compared to the previous edition, with the 16 teams sharing €41 million.
PSG-Lyon game interrupted as homophobic chanting continues to plague French league
December 17 – French authorities are considering what action to take after the high-profile clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon was briefly interrupted Sunday because of yet more homophobic chanting by PSG fans, a stain on the game that continues to blight top fixtures across the country.
Galician Rafeal Louzan wins Spanish FA presidency
December 17 – Rafael Louzan has been elected president of the Spanish FA (RFEF) after more than a year of turmoil at the scandal-ridden body following the downfall of former chief Luis Rubiales and his right-hand man Pedro Rocha.
Diallo returned as French FA chief on platform of more cash for grassroots and women’s development
December 17 – With a programme focused on the development of amateur and women’s football, Philippe Diallo has been re-elected as chairman of the French Football Federation (FFF), defeating Pierre Samsonoff in the vote.
Udinese’s redeveloping Bluenergy Stadium awarded UEFA Super Cup 2025 final
December 17 – Udinese Calcio’s Bluenergy Stadium has been confirmed by UEFA as the venue for the Super Cup 2025, marking the competition’s first venture on to Italian soil.
FC Urban and Equip Sport win Champions Innovate start-up finding
December 17 – The two start-ups selected for the second edition of Champions Innovate, UEFA’s pioneering programme promoting active and healthy lifestyles around the 2025 Champions League final, have been announced: Mastercard will collaborate with FC Urban, while adidas will partner with Equip Sport.
Croatian capital Zagreb commits €40m to rebuilding of Kranjčevićeva stadium
December 17 – Following a public consultation, the city of Zagreb has issued a tender for the reconstruction of the Kranjčevićeva stadium in Croatia’s capital.
Ukraine complain after graphic at FIFA 2026 draw omits Crimea
December 16 – FIFA has been criticised by Ukraine for an “unacceptable error” after it appeared to exclude Crimea as part of the country during last week’s European draw for the 2026 World Cup.