Kappa adds Benítez’s Napoli in five-year kit deal
By David Owen
April 29 – Kit-maker Kappa have added Napoli to their stable of Italian Serie A clubs.
News
Greek corruption: Club chiefs beg UEFA for help to break football ‘mafia’
By Matt Scott
April 29 – Some of the most senior figures in Greek club football have begged UEFA and FIFA to assist the Syriza government in tackling the institutional corruption that is defiling the Super League.
Feyenoord fans’ €50,000 slip on inflatable banana skin
By Samindra Kunti
April 29 – Dutch club Feyenoord faces an UEFA-imposed fine of €50,000 and playing its next European match behind closed doors after a “racist incident” during this season’s Europa League tie between Feyenoord and AS Roma.
Real and Atletico to be punished for busting anti-child trafficking rules
By Mark Baber
April 29 – Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, second and third in the Spanish League and last year’s Champions League finalists, are due to be punished by FIFA for breaches of the FIFA regulations on transfers of minors which were designed to prevent child trafficking, according to reports in the Spanish media.
Le Graët says France is ready to profit from Euro 2016
By Samindra Kunti
April 29 – President of the French Football Federation (FFF) Noël Le Graët (pictured), has claimed that EURO 2016 will be “extraordinary”, and that preparations are well advanced.
Penev takes head coach job at chaotic CSKA Sofia, unpaid
By Alexander Krassimirov
April 29 – A former striker for Atletico Madrid and former Bulgarian coach Lyuboslav Penev (pictured) has taken on the job of head coach at one of the country’s biggest clubs, CSKA Sofia – unpaid. Penev will work without salary for the remaining five games of the season when his contract will expire.
Man Utd to face Barca, PSG, Club America and the Quakes in July
April 29 – Manchester United have released dates for their pre-season tour to the US this summer as well as changes to the opponents they had initially said they will face in the ‘International Champions Cup’.
Qataris stand aside as AFC chieftains gather for Bahrain congress
By Andrew Warshaw in Manama, Bahrain
April 28 – Forty-eight hours before far-reaching elections that could shape the future of Asian football, Qatar’s bid for a place at the top table of FIFA was withdrawn today after its federation vice-president Saud Al Mohannadi pulled out of the running, fuelling the prospect of a powerful alliance between the Continent’s two most influential sports officials.
Steaua Bucharest’s badge auction to bring up to €8m but jailed Becali is not buying
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
April 28 – Steaua Bucharest’s controversial owner Gigi Becali has announced he will not seek to win the forthcoming auction of the club’s badge which is owned by the Romanian Armed Forces. Instead the businessman, who is currently serving a prison sentence for corruption, kidnapping and match-fixing, says that he wants to focus the club’s efforts on securing new transfers for the 2015/16 season and potential UEFA Champions League qualification.
La Liga signs China’s Snow Beer to sponsorship roster
By Mark Baber
April 28 – The Spanish Football League (LFP) has continued its journey into China to sign sponsorship partners with the announcement of a deal with Snow Beer, China’s biggest beer brand, which will allow the Chinese brand to incorporate LFP branding and player images in its advertising in Asia.
Liverpool hit record visitor numbers for stadium tour and museum
April 28 – Premier League Liverpool have announced record numbers through the turnstiles for the Anfield Tour and Museum over the past 12 months. Nearly 200,000 visited the club attraction, up from 50,000 the previous year.
Greek corruption: Olympiacos owner charged in match-fixing ring round-up
By Matt Scott
April 28 – Widespread match-fixing allegations in Greek football hardened yesterday as Evangelos Marinakis (pictured), the Olympiacos owner and president, was charged by prosecutors with a series of alleged offences.
Police hunt Turin bomb-maker but Juventus fans look in the clear
April 28 – A makeshift bomb that injured nine people at Sunday’s Turin derby may have been the work of fans of hosts Torino and not visitors Juventus as originally believed.
Gibraltar fears risks of match-fixing as betting market multiplies
April 28 – As it makes strides on the field to develop its fledging footballing status, Gibraltar is in danger of becoming the latest haven for match-fixing.
Saransk plans 2018 legacy with conversion of hotels to social housing
April 28 – Saransk, in the Mordovia region of Russia, has announced details of its post-World Cup 2018 legacy programme saying that the 792-room ‘Tavia’ hotel complex will be converted to affordable family apartments after the tournament.