UEFA appoints Eastern European referees for all four of its club finals
May14 – Romania’s István Kovács will take charge of the UEFA Champions League final, while Croatia’s Ivana Martinčić will officiate the Women’s Champions League final.
World Football
Mascherano with work to do get Messi, Suarez, Alba and Inter Miami back on track
May 13 – With just four weeks until the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) kicks off, the tournament’s opener featuring Inter Miami and their star Lionel Messi have hit a concerning run of form, prompting first-year coach Javier Mascherano to acknowledge that “there are things that need to be corrected.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina clubs receive UEFA Emergency Grant support
May 13 – A total of six clubs from Bosnia and Herzegovina are set to receive grants of €8,300 from UEFA’s Emergency Grants initiative with the support of the country’s football federation.
CBF appoints Ancelotti as Brazil national team manager as Rodrigues fights for survival
May 13 – The Brazilian Football Association (CFB) has confirmed the appointment of out-going Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti as the country’s new head coach.
Sevilla’s training facility attacked as players forced to spend the night
May 13 – Football passion crossed a dangerous line in Spain this weekend when “a gang of organised radicals” effectively held Sevilla FC players and staff hostage at the club’s training facility following their 3-2 defeat to Celta Vigo.
Chaotic scenes mar Hamburg’s return to the German Bundesliga
May 13 – Hamburger SV ‘s long-awaited return to the German Bundesliga was marred by tragic incidents following the club’s 6-1 win over Ulm that secured them automatic promotion.
Concacaf sets 2025/26 W Champions Cup dates with FIFA Women’s CWC slots on the line
May 13 – As the Concacaf 2024/25 W Champions Cup prepares for its final four stage in Monterrey, Mexico May 21-24 – América Femenil face Gotham FC and Tigres Femenil meet Thorns FC in the double header semi-finals – the confederation has released dates for its 2025/26 edition.
UEC proposes 5% ‘Player Development Reward’ fund to distribute cash from UEFA’s club comps
Sobaclieu.com
May 12 – The Union of European Clubs (UEC) has proposed an overhaul of how UEFA distributes funds from its club competitions to better recognise player development. It’s chances of any immediate implementation or discussion are slim with UEFA having already agreed a new distribution cycle that is currently in its first year of operation.
UEFA hosts Fan Forum ahead of summer Euro finals
May 12 – UEFA has placed fan experience and engagement at the heart of its preparations for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, hosting a dedicated Fan Forum in Switzerland this week for supporter representatives from all 16 participating nations.
Spartak Varna, in battle for UEFA Conference League spot, refused club license by BFU
May 12 – Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna has lost its license to participate Bulgaria’s top tier next season. The decision was taken by the Bulgarian Football Union’s Licensing Commission following Spartak’s failure to meet financial rules over payment of government taxes.
Keith Mweemba ends Kamanga’s 9 years as Zambian FA president
May 12 – Keith Mweemba will serve as the new president of the Zambian FA for a five-year term after he defeated incumbent Andrew Kamanga in a vote.
Man Utd and Spurs set up an all-English Europa League final
May 9 -Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will face off in an all-English UEFA Europa League final on May 21 in Bilbao, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash between two domestic underachievers with contrasting European histories.
Xabi Alonso to exit Leverkusen. Real Madrid next stop?
May 9 – Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will step down as Bayer Leverkusen head coach at the end of the season, following a spell at the club that saw him guide them to their first-ever Bundesliga title and a domestic double.
Police seize Maradona’s medical records as trial of his healthcare team continues
May 9 – More than four years after Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, the investigation into his death continues with dramatic new developments. Police recently conducted an overnight raid at a Buenos Aires clinic, seizing Maradona’s complete medical records following a court order as the trial of seven healthcare professionals moves forward.