Corinthians close out 2014 finances with €29.4m headache
By Samindra Kunti
February 2 – Corinthians have closed the financial year 2014 with a €29.8 million deficit. The losses could impact on the club’s presidential elections on February 7.
World Football
Prince Ali launches campaign with promises of openness, but no detail of backers
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, regarded by many as the most credible rival to Sepp Blatter for the presidency of FIFA, today unveiled his vision for the future of football’s world governing body – but declined to name the five federations who have officially endorsed his candidacy.
Warner faces new look at old charges by Trinidad integrity tribunal
January 31 – The shadow of Jack Warner and his dealings as president of CONCACAF has made a reappearance in Trinidad where a tribunal has been appointed to investigate his assets and registered interests as part of the integrity checks on the island for public officials.
Spanish FA warns it will halt play unless ‘government interference’ stops
By Mark Baber
January 30 – Relations between the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Spanish Government Sports Council (CSD) and their respective leaders have taken an dramatic turn for the worse as the Federation requested the head of the CSD be removed from all positions in football and on Thursday warned it was prepared to halt football in the country over “government interference”.
All ends in tears for Mali as Guinea get the luck of the draw
January 30 – African football chiefs admit that the system of drawing lots in their major competition must be revised after Mali’s quarterfinal dream in the Africa Cup of Nations was unfairly dashed.
AFC family row: unwanted Aussies may have to leave after hosting the party
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – Australia’s euphoria at reaching the Asian Cup final on home soil is being partly overshadowed by an apparent move by Gulf nations to have them thrown out of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and sent back to Oceania.
CSKA Sofia costs rocket to record €7.5m after year of infighting
By Alexander Krassimirov
January 30 – The chief executive officer of Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia, Alexander Todorov (pictured), has revealed that the costs of running the club in 2014 year were almost BGN 15 million (€7.5 million), a high amount by Bulgarian standards.
Greek Super League takes tough line with cash-strapped clubs
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
January 30 – The Greek Super League hardened its position on clubs in financial difficulty, dropping Niki Volou from the country’s top league. Rival side OFI Crete has been deducted four matches, and had its upcoming match against Athromitos FC later this week postponed until the club pays off debts owed to two of its former players.
More financial pain for RFU as travel partner sues
January 29 – The Russian Football Union’s (RFU) cash crisis continues with news that Moscow travel agency Akademservice has filed a lawsuit demanding compensation of 23 million rubles ($339,000). The RFU is already struggling to cope with the wage bill of its national team coach Fabio Capello and general manager Oreste Cinquini, who have been unpaid for more than 7 months, and are owed $9.2 million.
Mali and Guinea live in hope but bemoan luck of the draw
January 29 – The respective coaches of Mali and Guinea have criticised the drawing of lots to decide which of them progresses in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sierra Leone government backs Johansen against rebel takeover
January 29 – The Sierra Leone government is backing the country’s present football regime against the threat of a takeover by a rebel group pushing for change.
Van Praag says he wants just one term as FIFA’s chief
By Andrew Warshaw
January 29 – FIFA presidential candidate Michael van Praag has spelled out precisely why he is challenging Sepp Blatter and has named the federations who are backing his nomination.
Barca ponder future of Qatar Airways sponsorship deal
By Mark Baber
January 28 – Barcelona president Jorep Maria Bartomeu has told Catalan media that the club is considering alternatives to their kit deal with the Qatar Foundation over the worsening “social and political situation” in the Gulf state.
Player wage crisis: FIFPro holds urgent talks to secure better terms for players
By Andrew Warshaw
January 28 – The international players’ union FIFPro is holding a crisis session of its members in Greece today and tomorrow after negotiations to overhaul the transfer system broke down.
Africans keep faith in Blatter for another term at the top
January 28 – African countries, keen to maintain the level of developments funding they receive, will remain steadfastly behind Sepp Blatter in the forthcoming FIFA presidential election campaign.