Women’s football attendances are up, but barriers to growth still need overcoming
May 2 – Attendance at European women’s football has been rising steadily but is the women’s game reaching another glass ceiling?
Europe
Man Utd and Spurs are salvaging their seasons in the Europa League
May 2 – An all-English UEFA Europa League final looks increasingly likely after dominant first-leg displays by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their respective semifinals against Athletic Club and Bodø/Glimt.
English and Scottish FAs ban transgender players from women’s game
May 2 – Culture wars have no boundaries and taking their cue from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, the English Football Association (FA) has said it will ban transgender players from women’s football next season. The Scottish FA have also followed suit.
UEFA rolls out Maddli’s School of Football learning programme
May 2 – UEFA has launched Maddli’s School of Football, a new free-to-access educational programme aimed at school-age children, combining learning with movement and themed around the upcoming UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
Albanian FA and Kavaja city join forces to rebuild stadium destroyed in 2019 earthquake
May 2 – The Football Federation of Albania (FSHF) and the Municipality of Kavaja have combined to rebuild the Besa Stadium in Kavaja that was destroyed by an earthquake in November 2019. The FSHF and the municipality will jointly provide the funding, with the stadium to be completed within two years.
FIFA, Global Citizen launch Education Fund
May 1 – FIFA and Global Citizen have launched the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a four-year initiative blending philanthropy and fan engagement that aims to raise $100 million to support children’s education through football.
Marinakis relinquishes Nottingham Forest control
May 1 – As Nottingham Forest edge closer to a remarkable return to European competition, owner Evangelos Marinakis is relinquishing day-to-day control of the club due to UEFA regulations prohibiting the same ownership group from controlling multiple clubs in the same European tournament.
Levski Sofia record 2024 profit
May 1 – Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia continue to improve their financial results, with the club’s annual financial report for 2024 showing they made a profit of nearly BGN 15 million (€7.5m).
UEFA Football Board calls for consistent VAR and more recovery time between seasons
April 30 – UEFA’s Football Board has added its voice to the clamour for the need for consistency in VAR decision making.
The board also debated player workload and the cause of injuries, agreeing that players must be given time at the end of seasons to rest and recover ahead of preparing for the next campaign.
Rudiger on ice for six matches after throwing object at Copa del Rey final referee
April 30 – Real Madrid’s German centre-back Antonio Rudiger has been handed a six-match ban for throwing an object at an official in the Copa de Rey final against arch-rivals Barcelona at the weekend. Jules Kounde scored in the 116th minute for Barca to win 3-2.
PSG have the edge as they take 1-0 lead and Arsenal back to Paris for final showdown
April 30 – Paris Saint-Germain have taken the advantage in their quest to reach the final of the Champions League after defeating Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
In a tense and cagey match, Ousmane Dembele’s fourth-minute goal proved to be the difference between the two clubs with the Parisians confirming their fine form against English sides in the competition after eliminating both Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Construction begins on Kranjčevićeva Stadium in Croatian capital Zagreb
April 29 – The Mayor of Zagreb, Tomislav Tomašević, alongside Deputy Mayors Danijela Dolenec and Luka Korlaet, laid the foundation stone to mark the beginning of construction works on the Kranjčevićeva Stadium in the Croatian capital.
Soccerex partners with 433 for European event in May
April 28 – Soccerex, renowned for its tagline ‘We are football, connected,’, has announced a partnership with 433, one of the world’s most influential football media platforms, which becomes official media partner for the upcoming Soccerex Europe 2025 event.
US star power drives Birmingham and Wrexham into Championship
April 27 – League One football has been illuminated by celebrity ownership this season, with NFL legend Tom Brady’s Birmingham City breaking the league points record while Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham secured promotion to the Championship on the same day.
Red mist at Real Madrid as Rüdiger, Vázquez and Bellingham unravel in Copa del Rey final
April 28 – In a shocking display of indiscipline, Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger could face a lengthy suspension after being dismissed for throwing an object at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea during the Copa Del Rey final.