The World Anti-Doping Agency has voted unanimously to ban Russia from international sport for four years for doping offences. Russia now have 21 days to appeal against the sentence, which would see the country banned from participating at next summer’s Olympics in Tokyo and the Qatar 2022 World Cup. They will, however, still be able compete in next year’s European football championships, where they will also be one of the host countries. Individual Russian athletes will furthermore be able to compete under a neutral banner at the Olympics, providing they…
Read MoreDay: December 9, 2019
German football club with a mission to protect the climate
With thousands of fans travelling to matches and giant stadiums being built, football has a considerable climate impact. Clubs are increasingly aware of this and are trying to limit their carbon emissions. One club from the small city of Mainz has been leading the movement for a decade. Football is one of Europe’s most popular sports as well as a significant business. Last year, the European football industry generated 28.4 billion euros, an increase of 11% compared to the previous year. This year, 250 matches were played in UEFA alone….
Read MoreStrong mobilization against pension reform casts doubt on French government
In protest at the government’s pension reform proposal, French workers staged a massive strike on Thursday (5 December), which paralysed the country. With teachers and transport sector workers expected to strike again today, this will be the ultimate test for President Emmanuel Macron’s attempts to reform the country. Scheduled for three months, the strike that started on Thursday (5 December) in France brought together around 800,000 demonstrators. There were many many civil servants, as well as lawyers, firemen, doctors, students, but also yellow vests and so-called ‘casseurs’ (hooligans). The mobilisation…
Read MoreNew SPD leadership prepares to challenge Germany’s Great Coalition
Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) officially elected Saskia Esken and Norbert Walter-Borjans as the new chairmen at a national conference on Friday (6 December). There was no vote about remaining in the Grand Coalition with the CDU/CSU conservatives, but the new leadership appears to have ‘declared war’ on them. EURACTIV Germany reports. Although a formality, Saskia Esken and Norbert Walter-Borjans were elected as the new SPD leaders with 75.9% and 89.2% respectively. “We’ll make sure things get better,” Esken promised in her candidacy speech before the vote. Due to historically low…
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