Villar wins praise as Spanish federation passes on state subsidy
By Mark Baber
September 17 – The Spanish football federation (RFEF) is to forego a state subsidy for the third year in a row in 2014, according to the Spanish Sports Council.
News
Genoa spy denied by HQ as a lone ranger as mission rumbled
By Andrew Warshaw
September 17 – One of football’s more bizarre episodes is still gripping the Italian public and media after a coach from Genoa was caught “spying” on local rivals Sampdoria dressed in Rambo-style camouflage ahead of their derby clash last Sunday.
Six charged in Australian match-fixing scandal, owner ‘fingers’ Brits
By Andrew Warshaw
September 17 – Six people have been charged in relation to Australia’s biggest match-fixing scandal, prompting FIFA’s former anti-corruption specialist to call for greater global co-operation.
Lowy calls for compensation, but FIFA says there are no grounds
By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson
September 17 – The head of Australia’s failed 2022 World Cup bid says FIFA should pay compensation to his federation – and to the other losing candidates – if the tournament in Qatar is switched to the northern hemisphere winter. Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman Frank Lowy says FIFA risks making a bad situation worse if it decides too hastily to move the tournament.
Platini takes more time to think over challenge for FIFA presidency
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
September 17 – UEFA president Michel Platini says it would be “heartbreaking” to leave the organisation and has put off any decision to run for the FIFA presidency until next year’s World Cup in Brazil at the earliest.
Euro leagues have a good month on Facebook
By Paul Nicholson
September 16 – A report by Socialbakers for August shows the Premier League as the world’s fastest growing sports Facebook site over the month, with 1.2 million new fans. Second is the UEFA Champions League with the UEFA Europa League coming in third with just over 500,000 new fans.
Ooredoo connects with PSG for youth-driven promo
By Mark Baber
September 16 – PSG have further strengthened ties with Qatar, signing a sponsorship with the Qatar-based communications company Ooredoo who will sponsor Paris Saint-Germain in a deal focused on football coaching for youth. The deal will run through to 2018.
Gazprom signs 4-year deal as official FIFA partner
By Mark Baber
September 16 – Russian state-controlled natural gas company Gazprom has officially became a FIFA partner at a ceremony on Saturday at the Black Sea resort of Sochi attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Gazprom chief executive Aleksei Miller.
Gulati calls for more information before any 2022 decision is taken
By Andrew Warshaw
September 16 – The United States’ most influential football administrator says he will try to block any move by FIFA to switch the Qatar 2022 World Cup to winter. Sunil Gulati, whose country was unexpectedly beaten by the tiny Gulf state to stage the tournament when the vote was taken three years ago, says he will oppose any attempt by FIFA’s executive committee to change the dates of the tournament when it meets on October 3 and 4.
‘Protected’ Perumal suspected as Australian police arrest 10 for match-fixing
By Andrew Warshaw
September 16 – Football’s most notorious match-fixer is believed to have played a prominent role in Australia’s biggest scandal of its kind where police arrested 10 people at the weekend.
Hillsborough investigation could bring manslaughter charges
By Andrew Warshaw
September 13 – The new criminal investigation into the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster, in which 96 fans died, could lead to manslaughter charges, according to the head of the inquiry.
Seattle Sounders flying high with Xbox and Delta
By Mark Baber
September 13 – Seattle Sounders, who have reportedly sold 52,000 tickets for today’s MLS game against Real Salt Lake, have signed a new deal with Delta Airlines as well as extending their partnership with Xbox for another year.
Clubs drop ticket prices to keep fans, but Spurs still costs double Man City
By Mark Baber
September 13 – A survey of clubs has found average ticket prices across English football’s top four divisions have fallen by up to 2.4%. There remains a large differential between clubs, with Tottenham fans paying a minimum of £49.26 per match for a season ticket, programme, pie and tea – compared to just £24.34 for a Manchester City fan.
Webb’s task force finds its feet in battle of ‘human kind’
By Andrew Warshaw
September 13 – FIFA’s recently established anti-discrimination Task Force will not get involved in the furore over 2018 World Cup host Russia’s controversial so-called anti-gay legislation. The task force, meeting in Zurich yesterday, has identified a series of key priorities including allocation of resources, a best practice manual and identification of high risk games.
CSKA reject €40m ISF cash offer to build new stadium
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 13 – Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia has turned down a €40 million investment offer for a new stadium from German company ISF, CSKA rejected the deal after failing to agree to conditions that included handing over the stadium to ISF to maintain and operate, shared use of the stadium with another club and the Bulgarian national team.