Viktoria Plzeň’s defender Davida Bystroně tests positive for doping
By David Gold
December 29 – Viktoria Plzeň’s Davida Bystroně tested positive for banned drugs after a Champions League game last month, the Czech champions have revealed.
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FC Sion continue battle with FIFA following threats towards Swiss FA
By David Gold
December 29 – FC Sion are continuing their ongoing battle with FIFA after world football’s governing body threatened to expel the Swiss Football Association and all its teams from international competition unless the club are punished for breaching a transfer ban.
Ukraine to reveal cultural events programme for Euro 2012
By David Gold
December29 – Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Borys Kolesnikov (pictured), has said that the cultural events and programme which will be held during the European Championships next summer will likely be revealed in March.
Turkish clubs could face European ban if found guilty of match fixing
By David Gold
December 29 – UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino (pictured) has refused to rule out the possibility that Turkish clubs could be banned from European competition if found guilty of involvement in the match fixing scandal that has rocked the country.
Warner claims World Cup TV rights deal with Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
December 29 – Jack Warner (pictured left), the former FIFA vice-president who walked away from football rather than face a potentially damning probe into his role in the infamous cash-for-votes scandal, stepped up his attempts at revenge today by claiming he was awarded FIFA World Cup television rights for as little as $1 (£0.65/€0.77) in return for helping Sepp Blatter gain the Presidency of world football’s ruling body.
Platini makes veiled attack on critics in New Year’s message
By Andrew Warshaw
December 28 – UEFA President Michel Platini has made a veiled attack on his critics in a mixed New Year message to European football’s various stakeholders.
Serie A games targeted by illegal betting rings, claims former defender
By David Gold
December 28 – Three Serie A games were targeted by a betting ring which sought to manipulate the results of football matches according to former Piacenza defender Carlo Gervasoni (pictured).
European giants set to travel to Doha for inaugural Al Kass International Cup
By David Gold
December 28 – The youth teams of some of the world’s top teams, including European champions Barcelona, Juventus and Paris St Germain will be travelling to Doha next week for the first edition of the under 17s Al-Kass International Cup.
Michael O’Neill appointed Northern Ireland manager
By David Gold
December 28 – Michael O’Neill has been confirmed as the new Northern Ireland manager following his heroics with Shamrock Rovers this season.
FIFA ordered to release ISL papers
By Andrew Warshaw
December 28 – FIFA has been ordered by a Swiss court to release documents that could pave the way to finally naming high-ranking officials who allegedly took millions of dollars in kickbacks from World Cup broadcast deals.
Barcelona’s Sandro Rossell asks UEFA for agents’ fee reforms
By David Gold
December 28 – Barcelona President Sandro Rosell wants UEFA to reform agents’ fees and says that players should themselves cover such costs.
Olympique Lyonnais want Stade des Lumières to host Euro 2016 opener
By David Gold
December 27 – Olympique Lyonnais President, Jean-Michel Aulas, wants the club’s new stadium to host the opening game of the 2016 European Championships in France.
Football League announces Prostate Cancer Charity partnership
By David Gold
December27 – The Football League has announced The Prostate Cancer Charity as its official charity partner for 2012-2013.
Romario and Ronaldo announce disabled tickets at 2014 World Cup
By David Gold
December 27 – More than 30,000 tickets to the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be given to disabled fans, the legendary former Brazil forwards Romário and Ronaldo have announced.
Gabon completes 2012 African Cup of Nations stadia
By David Gold
December 27 – Gabon has completed construction of two new stadiums in Libreville and Franceville for the 2012 African Cup of Nations, which gets underway on January 21, a Gabonese member of the Organising Committee told insideworldfootball.