Europe’s top club coaches asked UEFA to review the use of the away goals rule in continental competitions because "scoring away from home is not as difficult as it used to be." They also want the transfer window to end "at the same time in all the region’s major leagues." UEFA Deputy General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti confirmed the organization will "open a discussion" on the use of the away goals rule (REUTERS, 9/4).
ManU supporters waded into the "escalating row" over Tottenham "pushing back" its fixture with Man City in October. ManU's televised home match with Everton switched from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday afternoon that weekend. The ManU Supporters' Trust "slammed the decision," with thousands of fans "left out of pocket after already stumping up for hotels and travel arrangements" (London DAILY MAIL, 9/4).
Barcelona lost the only Barça Academy it had in the Middle East after deciding not to renew its agreement with Fitness Time, which was managing the academy. The Catalan club reportedly chose to stop licensing its brand to Fitness Time, which will continue to manage the academy under its own methodology and corporate image (PALCO23, 9/3).
The Scottish FA confirmed it will "open talks" with the other Home Nations later this year about a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup. The SFA will make a decision after CEO Ian Maxwell and other officials have held talks with the neighboring bodies (LONDON TIMES, 9/5).
Scottish PM Ruth Davidson said that the country "should retain separate national stadiums for football and rugby." The SFA is expected to decide next week whether to keep Hampden Park as the national home of football or switch to Murrayfield. Davidson said that residents were "concerned about the impact that thousands of football fans would have on the area" (LONDON TIMES, 9/5).
