Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The ECJ verdict could have a significant impact on the future structure of European club football

ECJ set for ruling on European Super League case

A decision in the European Super League case, which could shape the future of continental club football for decades to come, is set to be delivered on Thursday.

Soccer • 20 Dec 23

UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) signed a renewed working agreement until 2030 which will 'bolster long-term stability and sustainable growth in European club football'

UEFA cash boost for clubs not in European competitions

Clubs that fail to qualify for UEFA's competitions are set to receive a greater share of revenue from the European governing body from next season under a new distribution model.

Soccer • 07 Sep 23

'If the budgets go sky-high then our competitive balance is a problem' - says Ceferin

Introducing salary cap 'the solution', says Ceferin

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says he wants to introduce a salary cap in European football "as soon as possible".

Soccer • 25 Apr 23

The FIFA Club World Cup is due to be expanded from 2025

FIFA's Club World Cup plans get European clubs' backing

FIFA's plans for an expanded Club World Cup has now received backing from the European Club Association (ECA).

Soccer • 27 Mar 23

The former Arsenal boss believes there arde sound logical reasons to make the change

Wenger: Nothing to be scared of from biennial World Cup

The opposition to biennial World Cups is an "emotional" response, according to Arsene Wenger.

Soccer • 09 Nov 21

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has led moves for a World Cup every two years

ECA fear FIFA 'railroading' through biennial World Cup

FIFA's plans for the future of football would have a "direct and destructive impact" on the club game, the European Club Association has warned.

Soccer • 24 Sep 21

FIFA's proposal has been met with opposition from numerous stakeholders

UEFA critique 'dangers' of FIFA biennial World Cup plan

UEFA has criticised FIFA over what it sees as a promotional campaign in support of biennial World Cups before sufficient consultation has taken place and highlighted four key "dangers" within the proposal.

Soccer • 22 Sep 21

FIFA continue to press ahead with their plans for a biennial World Cup

FIFA to discuss biennial World Cup at summit next week

FIFA will hold an online summit with football associations from all over the world next week to discuss its plans for the men's and women's international calendars, which include biennial World Cups.

Soccer • 20 Sep 21

Six Premier League clubs are among the nine to rejoin the ECA

'Super League' clubs rejoin European Club Association

The Premier League's 'big six' are among nine Super League founder members who have officially rejoined the European Club Association.

Soccer • 16 Aug 21

UEFA are expected to vote on Wednesday on plans to expand the Champions League to 36 clubs

European fan groups accuse top clubs of 'power grab'

European fan groups have accused the continent's top soccer clubs of "crisis profiteering" and called on them to drop plans for changes to the Champions League.

Soccer • 16 Apr 21

A women's Club World Cup is a realistic proposition

European clubs body keen to see women's Club World Cup

The European Club Association (ECA) is excited by the prospect of a women's Club World Cup being set up "fairly soon" and sees the tournament as part of its strategy to help develop women's football, chief executive Charlie Marshall said.

Soccer • 29 Mar 21

UEFA has proposed an increase of 100 matches in the UCL and four extra matchdays from 2024

New-look Champions League plans facing pushback

European Leagues, which has 37 professional league members, is preparing to push back against a number of aspects of UEFA's plans for a new-look Champions League from 2024.

Soccer • 10 Mar 21

Under the version of the plans discussed by UEFA, one extra place would go to the French league, while the others would be distributed according to UEFA's club 'co-efficient' rankings

Champions League reform faces issue over extra spots

Plans to reform the Champions League, expanding the competition from 32 to 36 teams and replacing the traditional group stage, face resistance over the allocation of the extra four places.

Soccer • 05 Feb 21

Referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande reviews the VAR monitor during a Europa League fixture in August

Pitchside monitor use could ease VAR gripes - PL chief

Increased use of pitchside monitors by Premier League referees may help ease supporters' frustrations with VAR, the competition's chief executive Richard Masters has said.

Soccer • 09 Sep 20

UEFA chiefs are willing to take their time in deciding on the future of its flagship club competition

Extra games 'a no go' in any Champions League overhaul

No decision on the format of the Champions League post 2024 is likely until next autumn or the spring of 2021, according to the president of the European Leagues umbrella group.

Soccer • 18 Oct 19

What was eight groups of four could become four groups of eight

Pan European League up for discussion at June assembly

The boss of the organisation that represents Europe's biggest clubs has finally admitted that he wants to see the Champions League replaced with a midweek, continental league, involving promotion and relegation, from 2024 onward.

Soccer • 25 Apr 19

The changes would strengthen the position of established European heavyweights

'Radical' changes proposed for Champions League

European 'superleague' amongst proposals being talked about as the European Club Association seeks Champions League reform.

Soccer • 05 Apr 19

UEFA: Super League would damage big clubs' standing

Europe's biggest clubs would have lost their status "in the hearts of the people" if they had gone ahead with plans for a Super League, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said Thursday.

Soccer • 07 Feb 19

European Club Association