Vietnamese club owner says players fixed ACL game
April 14 – Asian football has been rocked by yet another match-fixing scandal, this time involving 11 players of the high-flying Vissai Ninh Binh club.
World Football
Lekjaa takes the reins in Morocco after election re-run
By Paul Nicholson
April 14 – The Moroccan Royal Football Federation (FRMF) has a new president. Skhirate-Fouzi Lakjaa (pictured second left), the only candidate standing, was elected on Sunday for a four-year term.
Rangers win at casino but boardroom money rows rumble on
By Paul Nicholson
April 14 – Rangers’ financial turmoil has received a much-need positive boost with the announcement of online gaming firm 32Red as its new shirt sponsor. The three-year deal will start next season. 32 Red takes over from Blackthorn cider.
Antiguan clubs rebel against ABFA leadership and call for Congress and audit
By Paul Nicholson
April 11 – Antiguan clubs are rebelling against their federation, the Antiguan and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), and calling for FIFA or CONCACAF to step in and take control. They want the ABFA audited and full financial transparency by an independent body.
UEFA warn Chelsea off chasing fee for Atletico keeper pre CL clash
April 11 – UEFA have issued a warning to Chelsea against trying to seek a fee for loaned out goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois playing them in the Champions League semifinals for Atletico Madrid.
Eight Indian Super League franchises to be announced Sunday
By Mark Baber
April 11 – The ongoing saga of the much-hyped Indian Super League (ISL) begins a new chapter on Sunday as the eight franchises for the new tournament will be unveiled. The organisers including IMG-Reliance, marketing partners of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), are seeking to revolutionise football’s fortunes in the cricket-mad country, whilst the existing Indian clubs are looking on in trepidation, with calls for FIFA to intervene.
Bulgarians reach deal for new €40m national stadium
By Alexander Krassimirov
April 11 – The Bulgarian Football Union, Bulgarian club Slavia and German investment company IFS have signed a preliminary agreement to build a new national stadium in Sofia. The deal between the three parties was finalised this week.
Sorbonne-ICSS match-fixing report to be released in May
By Andrew Warshaw
April 11 – The most comprehensive revelations to date into the scale and scope of match-fixing and betting fraud will be unveiled next month. The in-depth assessment is a partnership between the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security and the Sorbonne in Paris, with the goal being to influence governments in the fight against corruption in sport.
Hunt for AFC seats on FIFA exco begins with Kohzo declaring candidacy
By Andrew Warshaw
April 11 – A fresh development has emerged in the race for political power within Asian football with the news that Japan’s Tashima Kohzo, Vice President and Executive General Secretary of the Japanese FA, has officially announced he is to seek a seat on the FIFA Executive Committee at regional elections next year.
Turkish legend Hakan Sukur has name stripped from Istanbul stadium
By Alexander Krassimirov
April 11 – Hakan Sukur’s nameplate in the Istanbul stadium named after him – Sancaktepe Hakan Sukur Stadium – has been removed by municipal workers after he resigned from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Bullish ad spend report points to happy times ahead for football
April 11 – Football will be one of the main beneficiaries from a global growth in advertising rates, and commercial television will be the most dominant medium within that growth. For football’s rights holders that is good news as ad-driven TV stations will be able to afford premium rights, and sponsorship values will continue to grow as mass market audiences are delivered.
Kosovo adds two more friendlies despite Serbian opposition
By Andrew Warshaw
April 10 – Despite continuing consternation by Serbia, Kosovo has broken yet new ground by arranging two more friendlies as it takes advantage of its new found status approved by FIFA.
Rome’s Stadio Olimpico beats Milan as Italy’s candidate for Euro 2020
By Mark Baber
April 10 – The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is putting forward Rome’s Stadio Olimpico as Italy’s candidate for Euro 2020. As the European football championship marks its 60th anniversary with a tournament to be hosted in 13 cities of the continent Italy will be bidding for a standard package only.
Allam to appeal name change and readies for big cat fight
By Andrew Warshaw
April 10- The symbolic Hull City name change saga that has generated interest way beyond English shores has taken yet another turn — just days before one of the biggest games in the club’s history.
English act to save betting face with players and officials ban
April 10- English football authorities are seeking a blanket ban on all gambling on matches by top-level players and officials following a string of embarrassing betting-related incidents.