Bonfire song ignites protest from Europe's racism groups, un-FARE or not?

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Europe

Published on Friday, 29 March 2013 21:18

By Andrew Warshaw
March 29 - England's leading fans group and Europe's anti-racism network are going head-to-head over claims that racist abuse was directed at England defender Rio Ferdinand during the recent 8-0 thrashing of San Marino.

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UEFA empowers referees on racism and demands zero tolerance of match-fixing

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Europe

Published on Thursday, 28 March 2013 20:11

By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 - UEFA has joined forces with clubs and players in a unified attack on racism and has re-iterated its position that referees have the authority to stop and abandon matches. European football's governing body reminded officials they were authorised four years ago to halt games in case of serious racism incidents, a policy that has been largely ignored but rekindled in the wake of Kevin-Prince Boeteng's walk-off.

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Expanded Euros qualifiers could lack fizz, but not the finals, says Platini

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Euro Championships

Published on Thursday, 28 March 2013 21:55

By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 - UEFA president Michel Platini has acknowledged that the Euro 2016 qualifying competition could see less competitive matches since almost half the teams involved will progress to the first ever expended 24-team  finals in France.

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Roof falls in on Rio build plans as Joao Havelange Stadium is forced to close

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Brazil 2014

Published on Thursday, 28 March 2013 12:35

By Mark Baber
March 28 - Joao Havelange stadium, which has been the main football venue in Rio de Janeiro as the Maracana is undergoing renovation, has had to close down due to serious structural problems with the roof and is unlikely to reopen any time soon.

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Bosman lawyer warns UEFA Fair Play rules may break EU competition law

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Europe

Published on Thursday, 28 March 2013 08:57

By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 - The lawyer who helped changed the face of European football has warned that UEFA's Financial Fair Play system may not stand up in court if challenged. Jean-Louis Dupont (pictured), part of the legal team who brought about the Bosman ruling back in the 1990s, says FFP risks violating competition law and freedom of movement.

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Nigerian Senate demands a radical restructuring of country's football

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Africa

Published on Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:20

By Mark Baber
March 28 – In the football equivalent of the 'church and state' governance debates, the Nigerian Senate has demanded an overhaul of football in the country – despite the Super Eagles winning the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year - but is wary of becoming too involved in running the game.

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Wrage speaks out against the 'watered down' reform package

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FIFA

Published on Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:59

By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 - FIFA's reform process, designed to bring about proper transparency and accountability, continues to receive negative publicity, with one of its leading advisers now accusing the organisation of "neutering" the originally suggested measures for much-needed change.

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Newcastle in black, but Coventry and Dunfermline see red and rock bottom

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Premier League

Published on Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:08

By Paul Nicholson
March 28 – Newcastle United have recorded only their second year of profit since billionaire Mike Ashley bought the club in 2007 for £135m. The £1.4m profit is a drop on the previous year's £32.6m profit, but substantially better than the finances at Coventry (English Championship) and Dunfermline (Scottish Division 1) who both fell into the hands of administrators yesterday.

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