UEFA reveal European club losses of €1.6 billion
By Andrew Warshaw in Nyon
January 25 – Europe’s major professional clubs continue to rack up staggering losses despite warnings of sanctions under UEFA’s financial fair play rules.
World Football
Turkish football officials meet to review match fixing sanction policy
By David Gold
January 25 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) will tomorrow meet to discuss whether to amend Article 58 of their disciplinary code, a move which could mean that any teams found guilty of involvement in the match fixing scandal in the country would escape relegation.
Amkar’s assets frozen after Chuprakov debt dispute
By David Gold
January 25 – Russian Premier League team Amkar Perm have had their bank accounts frozen due to a $1.1 million (£700,000/€850,000) debt they owe to former club President Valery Chuprakov.
Under pressure Xamax boss Chagaev sends entire squad on gardening leave
By Andrew Warshaw
January 25 – The controversial President of beleaguered Swiss club Neuchâtel Xamax, Bulat Chagaev, has put his entire squad on gardening leave pending the outcome of an appeal against being kicked out of the Swiss league, according to reports.
“Exasperating” ISL dossier to be revealed by end of January, says Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
January 24 – The infamous ISL files naming high-ranking FIFA officials who allegedly took bribes could be released at the end of January according to FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured).
Malaga hit with transfer ban over Osasuna debt
By David Gold
January 24 – La Liga outfit Malaga, one of the richest teams in Spain, have been banned from transfer activity until they have paid back a debt to rivals Osasuna.
Putin attempts Tom Tomsk rescue plan
By David Gold
January 20 – The Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, is attempting to save the Russian Premier League outfit Tom Tomsk from bankruptcy.
African footballers join Oxfam famine appeal
By David Gold
January 23 – Top African stars competing in this month’s African Cup of Nations, including Barcelona’s Seydou Keita (pictured) and Newcastle’s Demba Ba, have joined forces with Oxfam to call for an end to hunger across the continent.
Exclusive: FIFA veteran Gagg slams Chagaev as Xamax are on the brink of extinction
By Andrew Warshaw
January 23 – FIFA veteran Walter Gagg (pictured), the man leading a consortium to save two-time Swiss champions Neuchâtel Xamax from extinction, has hit out at the “crazy” behaviour of the club’s Chechen owner Bulat Chagaev and has promised to re-launch Xamax in the lower leagues.
Putin and Blatter join forces to celebrate Russian Football Union centenary
By David Gold
January 20 – Dignitaries from the world of football and politics, including the FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, and Russia’s Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, have gathered in St Petersburg to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Russian Football Union (RFU).
Bin Hammam fights to save Asian position
By Andrew Warshaw
January 20 – Former Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam’s (pictured) attempt to clear his name after being banned for life for bribery by FIFA’s Ethics Committee reaches the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday (January 23) in a related case against his own Confederation.
Coleman named as Welsh manager despite Greek club claiming he still belongs to them
By David Gold
January 19 – Chris Coleman has been unveiled as the successor to the late Gary Speed as Wales manager at what he described as “the most difficult press conference I am ever likely to do,” though Greek club Larissa claim he is still under contract to them.
Jamaica’s Burrell won’t come clean about facts behind his FIFA suspension
By Andrew Warshaw
January 19 – Horace Burrell (pictured), the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) President suspended by FIFA’s Ethics Committee over the cash-for-votes scandal, has refused to explain exactly why he was sanctioned.
Exclusive: “Gaps are bridged” as Caribbean official comes to London to meet FA chair Bernstein
By Andrew Warshaw in London
January 18 – Jeff Webb (pictured), the man charged with putting Caribbean football back on the map for the right reasons, flew into London today for talks with English Football Association chairman David Bernstein aimed at kick-starting a relationship soured by England’s failed 2018 World Cup bid.
CSKA director Babaev fined one rouble over Welliton threat
By David Gold
January 18 – CSKA Moscow general director Roman Babaev (pictured) has been ordered to pay one rouble in compensation after telling Spartak Moscow forward Welliton to “walk the streets with care” after a game between the sides last year.