Sports
Kicking inequality out of Europe using football, Latvia and Ukraine are out in front
Est. 5minTackling gender inequality in Europe isn't an open goal, but the EU's TARGET football project provides a structured opportunity to change entrenched narratives. Latvia and Ukraine are out in front.
‘Football is free’ following EU court ruling
Est. 6minEurope's top court dealt football governing body UEFA a scything legal tackle on Thursday (21 December), but an attempt by rival Super League promoters to kick off a new competition met a solid defensive wall of clubs and fans.
French sports minister condemns Djokovic message on Kosovo
Est. 4minFrance's sports minister condemned Novak Djokovic on Wednesday (31 May) after he wrote a message saying Kosovo was at the "heart of Serbia" following his victory in the opening round of Roland Garros.
EU lawmakers ask UEFA to exclude Belarus from Euros qualifiers
Est. 3minEuropean lawmakers called on Europe’s football governing body UEFA to ban the Belarusian national football team from the Euros qualifiers, in a letter seen by EURACTIV.
IOC stands firm against banning Russia despite risk of boycott
Est. 4minThe Olympic movement is facing its biggest dilemma since the Cold War: bow to demands to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes or risk the first mass boycott of the Games in 40 years.
Increased physical activity could save €8 billion annually in EU
Est. 6minIncreasing physical activity among Europeans could save EU countries €8 billion annually, the WHO and OECD estimated in their report published on Friday (17 February).
Zelenskyy urges Olympic sponsors to keep Russia out of Games
Est. 3minUkraine has sent letters to companies that back the International Olympic Committee urging them to keep Russian athletes out of the Paris Olympic Games, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday (5 February).
France disappointed but proud of fightback in epic World Cup final
Est. 5minFrance are disappointed they could not successfully defend their World Cup crown after losing to Argentina on penalties in Sunday's final but leave Qatar with heads high having fought until the end, players Raphael Varane and Hugo Lloris said.
The Brief — The football cartel
Est. 5minThe behaviour of football associations like FIFA and UEFA can best be understood when they are seen as economic cartels in an industry favouring natural monopolies.
GOALSCORE: What can sports do against gender violence?
Violence against women remains a major social problem, worldwide and across the EU. In an effort to take active prevention, GOALSCORE and its partners believe sports and more specifically football, can play an important role in tackling gender violence among …
‘World Cup of shame’: EU Parliament slams Qatari minister for workers’ rights violations
Est. 4minAhead of the football World Cup, the Qatari labour minister was criticised at a meeting with the EU Parliament’s human rights committee on Monday (14 November) for the violations of workers’ rights in the preparation of the World Cup.
UEFA doubles down on monopoly position in European football
Est. 5minAhead of a meeting with the new boss of the breakaway “Super League” football competition, UEFA insisted on economic concentration as a precondition for the successful development of European football.
Finland replaces Russia as host of figure skating Grand Prix
Est. 2minFinland will stage a round of the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series after Russia was removed as a host following its invasion of Ukraine, the International Skating Union (ISU) said.
Russian clubs banned from next season’s Champions League
Est. 4minRussian clubs have been banned by UEFA from participating in the Champions League and all other European competitions next season, European football's governing body announced on Monday (2 May).
UEFA drops Gazprom, may contribute to more sustainable image
Est. 5minEurope's top football-governing body UEFA ended a multi-million euro contract with Russian state-owned Gazprom on Monday (28 February) due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in a move that is not only good for solidarity but has green benefits as well.
Germany boosts decarbonisation of amateur football
Est. 4minAs Germany is preparing to host the 2024 UEFA European championship, several ministries have banded together to support climate-friendly projects in amateur football.
MEPs to ask UEFA to move Champions League final amid Ukraine tension
Est. 3minEuropean lawmakers are preparing a letter to ask Europe’s football governing body UEFA not to host the final of its most prestigious competition next May in St Petersburg, Russia.
Beijing closes curtain on ‘closed loop’ Games
Est. 5minBeijing doused its Olympic flame on Sunday night (20 February), closing a Games that will be remembered for the extremes of its anti-COVID-19 measures and outrage over the doping scandal that enveloped 15-year-old Russian skating sensation Kamila Valieva.
Dutch beer maker enters fight against plastic in UK football
Est. 4minAs the football industry continues to grapple with the financial implications of the pandemic, the Dutch beer maker Heineken has reignited the fight against plastic in UK leagues.
The EU and its member states must impose a diplomatic boycott on the Beijing Olympics
Est. 6minThe EU and its member states must adopt statements in advance of the Beijing Olympics and boycott the games at the political level, a group of MEPs and national MPs write in a letter sent to EURACTIV.
New Bundesliga CEO faces COVID-19 challenges amid sustainability push
Est. 4minFor one of the world’s largest football leagues, 2022 has been the stage of massive changes: the Bundesliga finally has a new CEO, Donata Hopfen, who must now tackle the massive tasks that await it.
Australia cancels tennis star Djokovic’s visa citing health risk
Est. 5minAustralia cancelled Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time on Friday, saying the world tennis number one who has not been vaccinated for COVID-19 may pose a health risk, effectively ending his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title.
UN chief to attend opening of Beijing Winter Olympics
Est. 2minUnited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday (13 January) that he would attend the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics next month with the message that the event "must be an instrument of peace in the world."
Sustainability core requirement for German Bundesliga
Est. 5minIt is the start of a new era in German football: a female chief at the helm of one of the largest European football leagues and mandatory sustainability criteria for the 36 biggest German clubs.