Europe – Inside World Football

CSKA Sofia fans plan mass protest after council refuses to name new metro station after club

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:10:05 +0000

April 24 – The ultras of Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia have threatened to hold a large-scale protest in the centre of Sofia after the Municipal Council refused to name one of the newly built metro stations in the capital after the name of the club, SC CSKA.

At a meeting of the Sofia Municipal Council in late March, the names of the newly built metro stations in Sofia were approved, with the initial proposal to rename the Shipchenski Prohod station to SC CSKA not being approved.

EPO announces collaboration with Socilinnov to Empower Women in Football

Andy Elliott — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:22:36 +0000

April 24 – The Hellenic Football Federation (EPO), in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Socialinnov, has announced the implementation of the Empower Women in Football educational program.

This initiative, being implemented for the first time in Greece, aims to develop women’s skills and strengthen their position in football.

Socialinnov is a non-profit organisation that aims to eliminate the digital skills gap and reduce unemployment in Greece. Through innovative learning experiences,

Reading takeover inches closes after terms agreed over club’s sale

Andy Elliott — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:11:00 +0000

April 24 – English League One side Reading have reached an agreement with a prospective buyer to complete a takeover of the financially-stricken club, with the English Football League (EFL) extending a deadline to finalise the deal to May 5.

It’s the second time the EFL has granted the Royals additional time to complete the sale since owner Dai Yongge was disqualified from leading the club under the Owners’ and Directors’

UEFA pays record €233m to clubs for international player releases

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 12:28:30 +0000

April 22 – The reigning Premier League Champions, Manchester City, have been allocated €5.17 million ($5.94 million), as part of the European football governing body’s Club Benefits Programme to encourage national team participation by players.

This figure represents the largest allocation to any UEFA club.

In all, a record €233 million was distributed to 901 clubs from all 55 member associations for releasing players to national team competitions: the 2020-21 and 2022-23 UEFA Nations League,

Tebas brushes aside threat of suspension as Real Madrid and Barca hostilities escalate

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 12:21:16 +0000

April 23 – LaLiga president Javier Tebas has downplayed the threat of suspension following a formal complaint lodged by Real Madrid, as tensions between Spain’s league boss and his two biggest clubs continue to escalate.

Unfazed by the legal challenge – which centres on an alleged breach of confidentiality—Tebas used a media briefing on LaLiga’s finances to redirect attention toward wider concerns, including fixture congestion, UEFA’s growing influence, and the financial vulnerability of domestic leagues amid piracy and shifting broadcast revenues.

Leeds and Burnley celebrate Premier League promotion

Andy Elliott — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:25:17 +0000

April 22 – Leeds United and Burnley have secured promotion to the Premier League, with the two sides occupying unassailable positions in the automatic spots on 94 points each.

Leeds set the tone on Easter Monday with a dominant 6-0 home win over Stoke City, but had to wait for confirmation of their return to the Premier League until later in the day, when Burnley hosted promotion rivals Sheffield United.

A 2-1 victory at Turf Moor ensured Leeds and Burnley were both mathematically guaranteed a top-two finish,

Ancelotti expected to step down at Real Madrid to take Brazil job

Andy Elliott — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:04:50 +0000

April 22 – Carlo Ancelotti is expected to step down as Real Madrid manager following the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26, with the Italian lined up to take over as Brazil’s new head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The 65-year-old will remain in charge through to the cup final in Seville, but is unlikely to lead Los Blancos into the season-defining El Clásico on May 11.

AC Milan launch junior camps in Central Europe

Andy Elliott — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:59:34 +0000

April 22 – AC Milan have taken another step in their international grassroots strategy with the launch of two Milan Junior Camps in Central Europe this July — in Prague (14–18 July) and Rovinka, Slovakia (21–25 July).

Delivered in partnership with Czech development specialists Moderní fotbal s.r.o., the camps target boys and girls aged 5 to 17 and will be led by official AC Milan youth coaches. Alongside technical training, the programme emphasises physical and mental well-being and reflects the club’s values-based development model.

The post AC Milan launch junior camps in Central Europe appeared first on Inside World Football.

Barcelona and Lyon earn first leg advantages in UWCL semi-finals

Andy Elliott — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:06:00 +0000

April 22 – Barcelona bounced back from Alexia Putellas’ missed penalty to secure a dominant 4-1 win over Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals on Sunday. Olympique Lyonnais hold a 2-1 advantage over Arsenal in the other last-four tie.

Putellas saw her penalty saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton in the 12th minute, but the Catalan side fought back with two goals from substitute Clàudia Pina and one each from Ewa Pajor and Irene Paredes.

Xabi Alonso’s “gentleman’s agreement” to leave Bayer Leverkusen

Andy Elliott — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 08:29:45 +0000

April 22 – Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has a “gentleman’s agreement” with the club, according to Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro, in relation to potential job offers from his former clubs.

The ex-Real Madrid and Liverpool player has been in demand since leading his club to an unbeaten league and cup double last season, and with current Real boss Carlo Ancelotti’s future unclear, Alonso is the favorite to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Arsenal show maturity to march into Champions League semi-finals

Andy Elliott — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 09:11:13 +0000

April 17 – With an outstanding away performance and a late Gabriel Martinelli strike, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 2-1 to eliminate the European champions 5-1 on aggregate from the Champions League.

All week Real Madrid and its players had talked of a ‘remontada’ but with a mature and calculated attitude, Arsenal proved there was no coming back from a first-leg 3-0 defeat. It was a different performance from Mikel Arteta’s team –

Villarreal CF expands youth soccer presence with New Idaho Academy

Andy Elliott — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 08:32:31 +0000

April 17 – Spain’s Villarreal CF continues its quiet infiltration of the US youth soccer market with the opening of an academy in Hailey, Idaho—marking the club’s 14th affiliated academy in North America.

This new academy aims to further expand the renowned Villarreal methodology throughout the country’s developing soccer landscape.

The Idaho Academy will open its doors between June 2-5, beginning the talent identification process. These sessions will be led by Villarreal-affiliated coaches,

UEFA draws groups for U19 Euro finals in Romania and Poland

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 05:47:38 +0000

April 16 – The road to continental youth glory is set following the UEFA U19 EURO group stage draws for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, which were conducted on Tuesday morning. Spain, reigning champions in both competitions, will be looking to defend their crowns this summer as Europe’s top young talents prepare to converge in Romania and Poland.

The men’s edition, to be held in Romania from June 13-26, will see the hosts drawn into Group A alongside defending champions Spain,

Nutrition is focus of second model of UEFA’s Take Care initiative

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:56:42 +0000

April 16 – UEFA has launched the second module of its Take Care campaign, with a focus on nutrition, continuing its initiative to harness the power of football to promote healthier lifestyles and positive habits across society.

The Take Care programme, announced in February, is a flagship component of UEFA’s health and well-being policy—one of the 11 pillars of the UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy 2030. The initiative aims to use football’s widespread influence to encourage better health outcomes,

Brentford multi-club ambitions grow with Merida purchase

Andy Elliott — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:23:15 +0000

April 15 – Brentford have taken a significant step in reviving their multi-club ownership strategy with the acquisition of Spanish third-tier side Merida AD by their newly formed holding company, Best Intentions Analytics.

The move comes just weeks after Brentford formally restructured their ownership model, with long-time owner Matthew Benham transferring his shares into the new entity in a bid to modernise the club’s structure and attract strategic investment.

Merida,

Atletico extend with Nike

Andy Elliott — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:16:35 +0000

April 15 – Atletico Madrid have officially extended their long-standing kit deal with Nike in a landmark renewal that will carry the partnership through to the end of the 2034-35 season—pushing the collaboration beyond three decades.

As the club continue to set records for income, the extension with Nike will be worth a total of €300m. It doubles their income from their previous deal with Nike, which saw Atletico reportedly take in around €15m per season.

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