Online gambler bwin.party signs sponsor deal with Juve
July 17 – Online gambling company Bwin.party has agreed a three-year digital sponsorship deal with Italian champions Juventus, its fourth partnership with a top European team.
Europe
Shaktar Donetsk owner says joint Russian league must benefit Ukraine
By Mark Baber
July 16 – President of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Rinat Akhmetov (pictured) has declared that a possible Ukrainian-Russian joint football league should be advantageous, first and foremost, to Ukrainian football.
English FA backs London 2018 Gay Games bid
By Mark Baber
July 16 – The English Football Association has announced its backing for London’s bid to host the 2018 Gay Games. A team from the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) is currently carrying out an inspection of London’s facilities,
Turkish giants felled as UEFA show no mercy, CAS is last resort
By Andrew Warshaw
July 16 – Two of Turkey’s three biggest clubs, Fenerbahce and Besiktas, have failed in their bids to get their forthcoming European bans overturned, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport now their only remaining avenue.
Chelsea F1 partners create a stir with new Russian investment
July 16 – Chelsea FC partners Sauber Motorsport AG of Zurich, Switzerland, has landed a substantial commercial deal that will catapult the firm, and its partners, into a new era in Formula One.
Oman inks new partnership with Italian FA
By Mark Baber
July 15 – The Oman Football Association (OFA) has announced a strategic partnership with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), building on the success of recent collaborations.
EPFL beefs up its Euro pact in fight against violence
July 15 – The European Professional Football Leagues association (EPFL), which represents 744 clubs in 29 countries, is reinforcing its relationship with the Council of Europe in the fight against fan violence.
Stoichkov offered return to Litex after CSKA fall out
July 12 – Litex Lovech owner Grisha Ganchev has opened the way for the possible return of former European European of the Year Hristo Stoichkov to the four-times Bulgarian champions.
Giggs and Neville combine to launch football-branded hotels and cafés
By Mark Baber
July 12 – Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville have announced their GG Hospitality company will be launching hotel and café brands with the intention of building a hospitality empire, both UK and overseas, to enable fans to sleep, drink and eat football.
AEK Athens new owner takes Greek giants back to basics
July 12 – The new owner of Greece’s third biggest club, AEK Athens, has pledged to restore its tarnished reputation following bankruptcy and demotion to the third tier of the country’s football league.
Drogba and Eboué put weight behind Istanbul Olympic bid
By David Owen
July 12 – Last week Buenos Aires won the right to host the 2018 Youth Olympics with a little help from Lionel Messi, who was given a prominent place in a promotional video shown to International Olympic Committee (IOC) members before the decisive vote. Now Istanbul is attempting to harness the power of football to help its bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Racing Santander issue match fixing denial but Tebas unconvinced
By Gareth Messenger
July 12 – Racing Santander have denied an allegation their 3-0 home win against Hercules on the final day of the second-division season was fixed and said they will co-operate fully with a probe by Spanish and European football authorities. Despite their victory on June 8, Santander were relegated to the third tier of Spanish football making it their second consecutive relegation.
Leonardo quits PSG after French boost barging ban to 14 months
July 11 – Paris St. Germain’s Brazilian sporting director Leonardo has caved in to the pressure of his 14-month ban and is to resign from the Qatari-owned club.
Italian clubs face match fixing sanctions as court date looms
By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – Lazio and Genoa face starting next season in Serie A with a points deduction as a result of the latest revelations in Italy’s match-fixing scandals. The two top-flight clubs, plus Lecce, face sanctions as do eight players accused of “sporting fraud” by the Italian football federation, allegedly involving sums of up to €500,000 in bribes.
Messi in but Iniesta out as German clubs lead the ‘best player’ nominees
July 11 – Five nominees from the Bundesliga are included in UEFA’s initial shortlist of ten players for the 2012-13 Best Player in Europe Award, reflecting the success of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in reaching last season’s Champions League final.