FIFA statement on UEC reflects an uneasy balance of power
May 29 – In an unusual statement on Tuesday, FIFA reaffirmed their relationship with the European Club Association (ECA) downplaying a meeting with the Union of European Clubs (UEC).
Ineos in talks with UEFA over ownership stakes in Europa League rivals Man Utd and Nice
May 29 – Manchester United’s new owners insist a solution will be found to allow United and Nice, who they also own, to compete in the Europa League next season.
Cameroon chaos deepens as Eto’o calls in emergency committee after Brys row
May 29 – Cameroon football has been plunged deeper into crisis off the field after a meeting between federation president Samuel Eto’o and the country’s new Belgian coach Marc Brys turned into an angry showdown.
Barca call in Germany’s Hansi Flick as Xavi’s replacement
May 29 – Barcelona have appointed former German national team and Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick as their new manager on a two-year contract.
FCB World Squad lines up for fourth season, sponsorsed by Audi and with TV crew in tow
May 29 – FC Bayern has announced the fourth edition of its FCB World Squad, an U19 team comprised of players from all over the world, with Audi as a new partner.
Aston Villa renews Trade Nation sleeve deal for further two seasons
May 29 – Aston Villa have extended their sleeve sponsorship with online trading platform Trade Nation for two more seasons.
New Canadian women’s pro league to be called Northern Super League, launching with 6 clubs
May 29 – Canada’s professional women’s league that debuts in April 2025 with six founding clubs will be called the Northern Super League.
AFC reforms competition structures with U17 Asian Cups going annual and U23s quadrennially
May 29 – With FIFA having changed the frequency of the men’s and women’s U17 World Cup to annual events, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has similarly had to rethink its competition structure in order to create qualifying competitions for the FIFA tournaments.
Frank Pauw wins election for Dutch FA presidency, taking over from Just Spee
May 29 – Frank Pauw has been elected the new chairman of the Dutch FA (KNVB), succeeding Just Spee. If elected, Jaenet Van Der Laan would have become the first female boss of Dutch football.
AFC rolls out VAR to all four new club comps for 2024/25 season
May 29 – The Asian Football Confederation is to roll out VAR across the whole of its new three-tier men’s club structure from the start of next season, as well as the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League.
Infront picks up Euro package of Bundesliga distribution rights
May 29 – Bundesliga International has appointed Infront to manage a package of international media rights in a four-year deal, starting with the 2025/26 season.
Unfriendly fire: Croatia’s NK Osijek sports director Jose Boto has car fired upon
May 29 – Jose Boto, sports director of Croatia’s NK Osijek, has had his car fired upon in Osijek. Fortunately, Boto was not in the car, at the time parked in a public parking lot.
Madrid court rules FIFA and UEFA Super League ban was ‘unjustified’
May 28 – FIFA and UEFA “abused their dominant position” and “prevented free competition” by opposing the creation of a breakaway European Super League, a Spanish court ruled Monday.
UEFA warns fans away from secondary ticketing markets as digital-only policy enforced
May 28 – UEFA has urged fans to refrain from purchasing tickets on the secondary market as they threaten to cancel tickets purchased from unauthorised third parties.
Al Ain beat Yokohama F. Marinos to win final AFC Champions League before format revamp
May 28 – Trailing 2-1 after the first leg in Yokohama two weeks ago, the UAE’s Al Ain turned the tables on the Yokohama F. Marinos in Abu Dhabi to win the AFC Champions League title for the second time.