Gibraltar provisionally accepted in UEFA’s inner circle
By Andrew Warshaw
October 1 – UEFA opened a political can of worms today by deciding to admit Gibraltar as a provisional member in a move that is bound to incur the wrath of Spain.
Europe
Debt-ridden CSKA Sofia faces expulsion from Bulgarian league
By David Gold
September 28 – CSKA Sofia are set to be thrown out of the Bulgarian championship, if UEFA carries through on its threat to ban the club from European competition for three seasons.
FIFPro slams Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s lie detector tests
By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – The international players’ union FIFPro has criticised a Bulgarian club for requesting its players and coaches to take lie detector tests following a surprise defeat.
Real Madrid extend Adidas kit deal until 2019/2020 season
By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – Real Madrid have tied up their existing kit supply deal with adidas until the end of the 2019-2020 season.
Almeyda reveals Serie A match-fixing and doping allegations
By David Gold
September 27 – Matías Almeyda has made a series of allegations relating to match-fixing and doping from his time in Italy’s Serie A, in another blow to a league already badly hit by scandal.
Putin wades into Zenit spending row
By Andrew Warshaw
September 27 – The spat over alleged overspending by Russia’s wealthiest club Zenit St Petersburg has gone all the way to the top with Russian President Vladimir Putin wading into the debate.
Ukraine’s Blokhin to take over Dynamo Kiev
By Andrew Warshaw
September 26 – Ukrainian coach Oleg Blokhin is to take over at Dynamo Kiev, the club where he became one of the world’s top strikers in the 1970s and 1980s.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv players to take lie detector tests over match-fixing fears
By Andrew Warshaw
September 26 – One of the most novel ways of detecting match-fixing is being implemented in Bulgaria with players and coaches of first division club Lokomotiv Plovdiv being ordered to take lie detector tests after a surprise defeat.
Denisov and Kerzhakov to return to Zenit first squad after wages row
By Andrew Warshaw
September 26 – Russian national team captain Igor Denisov and Aleksandr Kerzhakov are expected to return to Zenit St Petersburg first team this coming weekend after a spat over wages saw them dropped to the reserves, according to club sources.
Players push FIFA for Kosovo’s recognition
By Andrew Warshaw
September 26 – FIFA is being urged by Kosovan-born players not to renege on a pledge to offer the Balkan state partial acceptance into the international set-up.
Roma awarded 3-0 walkover against Cagliari
By Andrew Warshaw
September 25 – Roma have been awarded a 3-0 walkover win over Cagliari for the Serie A match postponed at the weekend due to safety issues.
Denisov slams excessive salaries of Zenit’s new signings
By Andrew Warshaw
September 25 – Russian national team captain Igor Denisov has lashed out at the extravagant salaries paid to new signings Hulk and Axel Witsel at his club Zenit St Petersburg in the latest spat over Russia’s role as the cash-rich new player on the global transfer stage.
Valencia committed to new stadium construction despite latest delay
By David Gold
September 24 – Valencia President Manuel Llorente has reaffirmed the club’s commitment to building a new stadium despite being plagued by a new set of problems in the construction of the ground.
Barcelona members approve referendum on future of Nou Camp
By David Gold
September 24 – Barcelona could leave their famous Nou Camp home after the club’s members approved a referendum on the future of the stadium.
Terry makes “heartbreaking” decision to quit international football
By Andrew Warshaw
September 23 – Former England captain John Terry sensationally announced his retirement from international football tonight at the age of 31 – just as another hearing into allegations of racism against him is about to begin.