Euro leagues chief Olsson dismisses FIFA medical boss as having ‘no idea’
April 30 – The head of the European Leagues umbrella body has hit back at FIFA’s medical chief for suggesting the season should be cancelled because of Covid-19.
Europe
Sex change: Locked down football fans swap live TV matches for bedroom action
April 30 – Football fans may be frustrated at not being able to watch their teams live but they are making up for it with more action in the bedroom, according to data from a new study.
French abandon any hope of restart after PM steps in to ban all football until September
By Andrew Warshaw
April 29 – France has become the first of the so-called Big Five leagues in Europe to scrap the rest of their season because of Covid-19, joining the Netherlands and Belgium in ending all domestic competition and throwing UEFA’s hopes of a co-ordinated resumption of play into disarray.
UEFA sets May 25 deadline for leagues to decide on season finishes
April 28 – Amidst growing frustration over the confused state of affairs throughout its membership, UEFA has imposed a May 25 deadline for European leagues to say whether or not they intend to complete or cancel their domestic seasons.
US investors Pacific Media Group add to club holdings with completion of KV Oostende buy
April 29 – After prolongated negotiations, American investment group Pacific Media Group (PMG) has become the new owner of struggling KV Oostende.
EU players will need to pass ‘points’ test to play in the UK’s pro leagues
April 29 – Players from the European Union will have to go through a points-based system similar to that which currently applies to non-EU footballers before being allowed to play in the English Premier League under new proposals caused by Brexit.
Robert Herbin, the Sphinx at the heart of St Etienne’s glory years, dies aged 81
By David Owen
April 28 – Robert Herbin, who was a key player in one great Saint-Etienne team and coach of another, has died at the age of 81. Born in Paris, the tactically-astute defensive midfielder played 23 times for France, but it was his exploits with the team in green that came to epitomise French football in the 1960s and 1970s for which he will be remembered.
No winners, some losers. Dutch void Eredvisie season but not all clubs are happy
By Andrew Warshaw
April 27 – Any chance of Dutch football finishing the season is over after the 2019-20 campaign was officially wound up due to the coronavirus pandemic with those in favour and against expressing strong views over the decision.
Belgian chaos as Pro-league prevaricates and clubs fail to win renewed licenses
By Samindra Kunti
April 27 – Belgium’s Pro League has again postponed the decision to rubber-stamp Club Brugge’s coronation as champions because of the evolving lockdown measures in the country. A return to action, however, remains improbable and contradicts a previous recommendation to cancel the season.
Canal+ and beIN stand by LFP with €50m payment support for its clubs
April 27 – Canal+ and beIN SPORTS and have reached an agreement outside their existing broadcast rights contract that will see them accelerate much needed payments to France’s Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and its clubs regarding the rights to matches already aired.
Bundesliga secures media cash release for clubs, but risks penalties if restart is cut short
April 24 – Germany’s Bundesliga has secured agreements with its major broadcast partners that will enable the league to release money to all Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs.
UEFA to keep Euro 2020 title for its 2021 competition
April 24 – Next year’s European Championship will continue to be called Euro 2020 despite being postponed to 2021.
Liverpool mayor calls for probe into whether Atletico CL visit was a virus super spreader
April 24 – The mayor of Liverpool City Region has called for an investigation into the Champions League clash between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid as debate over a possible link between positive Covid-19 cases in the city and last month’s fixture intensifies.
Scots ponder options after UEFA gives leagues clearance to close off leagues
April 24 – Scotland looks set to become one of the first leagues to benefit from UEFA’s agreement to allow for special cases in ending domestic seasons prematurely.
UEFA’s Foundation for Children mark 5 years and 1m youth reached in 100 countries
April 24 – UEFA may be concentrating on how it grapples with the effects of Covid-19 but away from the pandemic, today marks the fifth anniversary of the organisation’s Foundation for Children, using football as a tool to aid vulnerable kids particularly in less-privileged parts of the world.