Racism in Russian game is new disease, laments former Spartak Moscow player
By David Gold
April 18 – A former Spartak Moscow footballer, Andrey Tikhonov, has claimed that racism in Russian football did not exist a few years ago.
World Football
Rangers’ administrators launch £25 million damages claim against former lawyers
By Andrew Warshaw
April 18 – The crisis facing Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers has taken another damaging twist with the news that the administrators currently in charge of the club are to sue the club’s former lawyers.
Bundesliga strikes €2.5 billion media deal with Sky
By David Gold
April 18 – Sky Deutschland has won the rights to show Bundesliga football live for four years starting from 2013, in a deal worth €2.5 billion (£2 billion/$3.3 billion).
Banned former Asia chief Bin Hammam makes last-ditch attempt to clear name
By Andrew Warshaw
April 17 – Former Asia football supremo Mohamed Bin Hammam makes a final attempt to regain his credibility when he tries to overturn his lifetime FIFA ban for corruption tomorrow.
FFA receives welcome boost as Fox extends A-League media deal for three seasons
By David Gold
April 16 – Fox Soccer has renewed its media rights deal with Australia’s Hyundai A-League for three seasons, a boost to the embattled Football Federation Australia (FFA).
Pelé’s Santos celebrates centenary with exhibition games
By David Gold
April 16 – Santos is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series of commemorative matches between players of past and present, including the legendary Pelé.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter brought to tears over death of Piermario Morosini
By Andrew Warshaw
April 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he cried at learning of the tragic death of 25-year-old Italian midfielder Piermario Morosini during a Serie B match at the weekend.
Goal-line technology to enter final testing phase following latest refereeing gaffe
By Andrew Warshaw
April 16 – The final phase of testing for goal-line technology will begin by the end of April, according to FIFA, following yet another blatant and ultimately decisive injustice on the field of play.
Football world shaken as Italy’s Piermario Morosini suffers fatal heart attack on pitch
By David Gold
April 15 – Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini (pictured) has died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Serie B game with Pescara.
Racist abuse allegations from French cup tie spark calls for inquiry
By David Gold
April 15 – The France-based International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA) has demanded an immediate inquiry into allegations that racist abuse was aimed at Lyon striker Bafétimbi Gomis during a cup tie in Corsica.
Barcelona’s Éric Abidal “recovering well” after liver transplant
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Barcelona’s international French defender Éric Abidal, who had a lengthy liver transplant on Tuesday (April 10), is recovering well from the operation according to the club.
Land dispute causes UAE to cancel Iran friendly
By David Gold
April 14 – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has cancelled a friendly match, scheduled originally for Tuesday (April 17), with Iran after the Islamic Republic’s hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited an island which both countries believe they own.
UEFA’s Platini hands Europa League trophy to Bucharest
By David Gold
April 13 – UEFA President Michel Platini has handed over the Europa League trophy to the Mayor of Bucharest, the host city for the final of the competition, which takes place in just under a month’s time.
SPL debt sanctions halt sale offers for beleaguered Rangers
By Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – A potential new buyer for beleaguered Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers has been delayed because of a string of draconian proposals to heavily penalise clubs who fall into debt.
Kirin Cup won by Japan’s iron ladies
By David Gold
April 12 – World champions Japan (pictured in blue) have laid down a marker for the London 2012 women’s football tournament with a 4-1 win over Brazil (pictured in yellow) to lift the Kirin Cup in Kobe.