Football has been blitzed by Covid-19, says Ceferin, but solidarity and safety will triumph
July 21 – UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin says Covid-19 has had a worse effect on football than during the Second World War.
Europe
French threaten to close stadia again after PSG Ultras break social distancing rules
July 21 – The French government has threatened to re-impose a ban on fans after Paris St Germain supporters failed to observe Covid-19 social distancing rules in last Friday’s friendly against Waasland-Beveren.
Not enough balls are being kicked: France Football cancels Ballon d’Or
July 21 – The prestigious Ballon d’Or award is the latest event to be hit by the Covid-19 pandemic with this year’s ceremony cancelled, organisers France Football announced on Monday.
England target October 1 for partial opening of stadia
July 20 – Football fans, along with spectators of other sports, could be allowed back into stadiums in England on October 1 provided a series of test events are successful in the coming weeks.
Promoted VfB Stuttgart join procession of Bundesliga clubs seeking cash to continue
July 17 – Newly-promoted VfB Stuttgart’s achievement in getting back to the top flight in Germany has been marred by them becoming the latest cash-strapped Bundesliga club to seek financial aid because of lost matchday revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Spike fears: Spanish health minister hesitant to allow fans to return in September
July 17 – Spain’s Health Minister, Santiago Illa, has cast doubt on the possibility of fans being able to go back to stadiums when the new season starts in September.
LaLiga title win is more important that Champions League, says Zidane
July 17 – Despite a season when they were often far from their scintillating best, Real Madrid are Spanish champions once again, ending Barcelona’s two-year grip on the title and prompting coach Zinedine Zidane to declare it felt sweeter than any of the three straight Champions League crowns the club has won under his tenure.
Bundesliga submits criteria to reopen stadia from start of 2020/21 season
July 16 – The German Bundesliga is working up plans to return fans to stadia following discussions with health authorities, with the start of the 2020/21 season, September 18, being the target date for opening up of the leagues.
Portuguese police swoop on Benfica over tax evasion and money laundering claims
July 15 – The president of Benfica, Luis Filipe Vieira (pictured), plus the company that operates the club and the one that owns the stadium, have all been indicted by the Portuguese justice for tax evasion, according to unconfirmed local reports.
Man City owners target French club for CFG’s growing portfolio
July 15 – City Football Group (CFG), owners of Manchester City, look to have upped their quest to take a stake in French club.
CAS’s Man City ruling throws grenade into UEFA’s financial fair play rules
By Andrew Warshaw
July 14 – High-ranking officials and experts are questioning the entire future of UEFA’s financial fair play rules in the light of Manchester City winning their appeal against a two-year ban from European competition.
Serie A chases Sky for unpaid TV money as lobby intensifies to bring fans back to stadia
July 14 – With Juventus inching towards a new domestic crown and Cristiano Ronaldo still proving to be a decisive marksman, Serie A is demanding rights holder Sky fulfills its financial obligations. The league is also clamouring for fans to attend matches again before the end of the current 2019/2020 season.
Neuer’s Nazi sing-a-long lands him in hot water
July 14 – Germany and Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer has hit the headlines after being filmed singing a controversial song about far-right nationalists while on holiday in Croatia.
Coronavirus: FC Zurich opt to play U-21s as first team players forced to quarantine
July 14 – Fears that the Swiss Super League might have to be ended prematurely were overcome with FC Zurich saying that they would their U21 side against Basel tonight after members of the first-team were placed in quarantine.
Belgian Pro League to vote again on 16-team format and Waasland-Beveren’s relegation
July 14 – Belgium’s Pro League wants to maintain a 16-team league format, despite a domestic sports tribunal that ruled against Waasland-Beveren’s relegation.