Despite initial FIFA support, Kosovo remain in world football limbo
By Andrew Warshaw
June 1 – FIFA appear to have backtracked slightly over the precise conditions of allowing the Balkan province of Kosovo to play friendly matches.
Europe
Financial breaches result in UEFA Europe ban for Turkish clubs
By David Gold
May 31 – Turkish outfits Beşiktaş and Bursaspor have been suspended from European competitions for a year by UEFA due to financial difficulties.
Barça and Real Madrid will consider TV rights share, says Spanish Minister
By David Gold
May 31 – Spanish Sports Minister José Ignacio Wert has said that Barcelona and Real Madrid are open to agreeing a more balanced television rights agreement with fellow La Liga teams.
Prime Minister Mario Monti suggests three-year veto on Italian football
By David Gold
May 30 – Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Monti has suggested that football be suspended in the country for as long as three years as a result of the latest match-fixing investigation.
Leyton Orient want to share Olympic Stadium with West Ham
By Duncan Mackay
May 30 – Leyton Orient are to approach West Ham United in a bid to ground-share the Olympic Stadium, despite its chairman Barry Hearn having claimed earlier this year that it “is not fit for football”.
Criscito out of Italy Euro 2012 squad following match-fixing allegations
By David Gold
May 29 – Domenico Criscito has been forced to withdraw from Italy’s squad for the 2012 European Championship as a result of the match-fixing probe in the country.
High-profile names quizzed over Italian match-fixing
By Andrew Warshaw
May 28 – Antonio Conte (pictured below), who has just coached Juventus to the Serie A league title in his first season in charge, is reported to be among a number of high-profile names being questioned in the latest development in the Italian match-fixing probe.
Britain set to lose automatic FIFA vice-presidency
By Andrew Warshaw in Budapest
May 25 – The automatic British vice-presidency of FIFA, which has been in place since 1947, looks almost certain to be scrapped as part of the drive to make football’s world governing body more forward-looking and less anachronistic.
Serbia warns of “far reaching consequences” after Kosovo is recognised by FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw in Budapest
May 24 – Serbian football authorities have angrily denounced FIFA’s decision to allow Kosovo to play international friendlies against established countries, warning the move was against the rules and would have “harmful” effects on the region.
Exclusive: Kosovo to “reflect” on first opponents, says Federation President
By David Owen
May 23 – Kosovo’s first officially-sanctioned football international could take place as soon as this autumn, accompanied by what the head of the territory’s football federation believes will be “a big party” in the Balkan province.
Kosovo cleared by FIFA to play friendly matches, despite UEFA opposition
By Andrew Warshaw
May 23 – Kosovo’s bid for international recognition on the world stage has been handed a massive boost after FIFA gave its 208 member countries permission to start playing friendlies against the Balkan province.
Angry Auxerre fans rain on first-time champions Montpellier’s parade
By David Gold
May 22 – Montpellier’s first ever French Ligue 1 title was marred as Auxerre fans caused chaos and two delays during the crucial game between the two sides at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps.
I’m against the technology, insists Michel Platini as he stands firm against goal-line aids
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – UEFA President Michel Platini has reiterated his opposition to goal-line technology – and says his counterpart at FIFA, Sepp Blatter, may yet do the same.
Chelsea up against German commercial powerhouse
By David Owen
May 18 – An analysis by Sport + Markt, the sports marketing consultancy group, has underlined the scale of Chelsea’s task tomorrow when they try to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
German FA launches probe into pitch invasion at Bundesliga playoff decider
By David Gold
May 17 – The German Football Association (DFB) has launched an investigation into crowd disturbances during the relegation playoff between Hertha Berlin and Fortuna Dusseldorf this week.