Warrant issued for arrest of Portsmouth’s Russian owners
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – A European arrest warrant has been issued by Lithuanian prosecutors for the Russian owner of troubled English Championship club Portsmouth.
Europe
Johan Cruyff and Edgar Davids play down race row
By David Gold
November 22 – Former Ajax legends Johan Cruyff (pictured) and Edgar Davids, now both members of the club’s Supervisory Board, have played down a race row which emerged this week, but doubts persist over the former’s future at the Dutch champions.
Sarkozy’s secret meetings to encourage Qatari investment in PSG
By David Gold
November 22 – French President Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured left) held a secret meeting with Qatar’s Crown Prince Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani (right) in which he encouraged the gulf state to invest in French football and purchase the then financially troubled Paris St Germain, it has been claimed.
“Substantially improved terms” sees SPL extend deal with Sky and ESPN
By David Gold
November 21 – The Scottish Premier League (SPL) has signed a five year extension to their current television deal with Sky Sports and ESPN to show live games, on what SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster (pictured) claims are “substantially improved terms”.
Sion lose state court battle against FIFA and UEFA
By David Gold
November 18 – FC Sion’s battle with FIFA and UEFA suffered a major blow today when a state court in Switzerland ruled in favour of world football’s governing body over six players they had alleged the club had signed in contravention of a transfer ban.
Clydesdale Bank pull the plug on SPL sponsorship
By David Gold
November 18 – Clydesdale Bank has elected to end its sponsorship of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) when its current deal expires at the end of the 2012-2013 season.
FIFPro hit out at Russian football authorities over Gogniyev ban
By David Gold
November 17 – FIFPro has attacked the Russian Football Union (RFU) for their decision to ban FC Krasnodar striker Spartak Gogniyev (pictured) after he was sent-off during a game against Terek Grozny earlier this month, before being assaulted as he left the pitch.
Spanish Sports Minister elect wants Barcelona and Real Madrid to share TV money
By David Gold
November 15 – Real Madrid and Barcelona should share more money from television rights with their La Liga counterparts, according to Miriam Blasco, who could be Spain’s Sports Minister on Sunday (November 20) if her People’s Party win the country’s General Election.
FC Sion opens new front in war with football authorities
By David Gold
November 15 – FC Sion President Christian Constantin has begun a fresh battle with football authorities by demanding that FIFA pay his club damages after forward Dragan Mrdja returned from international duty with a serious injury.
David Ginola sues Gérard Houllier over 1994 World Cup hell
By David Gold
November 14 – Former France winger David Ginola is taking former national team coach Gérard Houllier to a court in Toulon for alleged “public insult and defamation” relating to a feud between the pair going back to the 1994 World Cup qualifiers.
Northern Ireland hope for player development by 2014 Brazil World Cup
By David Gold
November 13 – The Northern Irish Football Association (NIFA) chief executive, Patrick Nelson, has said that youngsters can “achieve their dreams with us,” as the country looks to develop the next generation of players who they hope will help guide them to the World Cup in Brazil in three years’ time.
Away fans banned from Paris St-Germain vs Olympique Marseille derby
By David Gold
November 11 – Away fans have been banned from attending games between the Ligue 1 leaders, Paris St-Germain, and fierce rivals Olympique Marseille this season, the French Interior Ministry has confirmed.
Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi could return to AC Milan as President
By David Gold
November 10 – Outgoing Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, could return to the post of president of the Italian champions, AC Milan, the club he owns, when the country’s political future is resolved.
Chinese media demand ‘El Clasico’ is played at midday
By David Gold
November 9 – Following calculations that 60 million Chinese fans tuned in live to see Real Madrid’s 7-1 win over Osasuna on Sunday (November 6), China’s media want the Clasico between the league leaders, Real, and the current champions, Barcelona, to be played at midday.
FIFA reiterate poppy ban for England friendly
By Andrew Warshaw
November 9 – The relationship between FIFA and the English football authorities has reached a new low after world football’s governing body again rejected a request for the England team to wear poppies on their shirts during Saturday’s friendly with Spain – 24 hours before Remembrance Sunday.