UEFA meet to decide National League format
December 3 – The exact format of UEFA’s new Nations League competition tops the agenda at this week’s executive committee meeting at their Swiss headquarters.
Europe
Greek tragedy adds new twist with FIFA and UEFA warning to clubs
By Mark Baber
December 3 – FIFA and UEFA have reportedly sent a joint letter to the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) warning that proposed government legislation, which is aimed at tackling the serious problem of corruption and match-fixing in Greek football, constitutes an unacceptable involvement of the state in football and would lead to the country being banned from international competitions.
Spanish promise crackdown to expel Ultra groups from stadiums
By Mark Baber
December 2 – The death of Deportivo de La Coruña fan Francisco José Romero Taboada before the match between and Atlético de Madrid on Sunday has dominated Spain’s news agenda, with the Spanish government saying the death marks a watershed and Ultra groups will be banned from stadiums.
Bayern Munich’s Andreas Jung on business, Dortmund and Hoeness
By Mathias Frohnapfel
December 2 – In an interview with our associated company, SPORT1, Bayern Munich’s commercial chief and board member Andreas Jung spoke about shirt sales, the Dortmund rivalry, the rise of Leipzig and Uli Hoeness. Jung was speaking before the meeting of Bayern club members last week.
Slovakia’s AS Trencin eyes new €6.3m stadium
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
December 2 – Slovakian top tier club has started demolishing work at its stadium to make space for a new ground. The total cost of the redevelopment is estimated to be about €6.3 million.
Now who’s sacking who? Leeds’ maverick owner Cellino kicked out by league
By Andrew Warshaw
December 2 – The turmoil that surrounds Leeds United, one of the most iconic clubs in English football, has deepened further after Italian entrepreneur Massimo Cellino was disqualified from owning the club – seven months after taking over.
Emirates boards AC Milan for another 5 years and €85m
By Paul Nicholson
December 2 – AC Milan have renewed their shirt sponsorship deal with Emirates airline in a five-year deal reported to be worth €85 million.
Niersback pushes Qatar on labour reform and hints at UEFA challenger to Blatter
December 1 – Wolfgang Niersbach, the German FA president who is being touted as a future president of UEFA or FIFA, has called for a deadline to be placed on 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar to prove it is making progress with reforming its workers’ rights policy.
Fan violence in Madrid leads to death of Deportivo fan
December 1 – Spanish football is reeling from the death of a Deportivo La Coruna fan after violent clashes ahead of the weekend visit to champions Atletico Madrid.
Rangers to return to market to raise further £8m investment
November 28 – Scottish club giants Rangers are seeking new investment to plug an anticipated £8 million requirement over the next year, but cash is likely to be needed as soon as January. The club said it will seek the funds via a fresh share issue after announcing an operating loss of £8.3 million for the year to 30 June 2014.
Spurs face UEFA inquiry after third pitch invader halts Europa League game
November 28 – UEFA seem likely to sanction Tottenham Hotspur for inadequate safety measures after three bizarre one-man pitch invasions interrupted their Europa League match against Partizan Belgrade on Thursday.
Brandao headbutt on Motta lands him a month in French prison
November 28 – In one of the harshest rulings meted out for an on-the-field offence, Bastia’s Brazilian striker Brandao has been handed a one-month jail sentence in France for headbutting Paris St-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta in the players’ tunnel back in August.
Belgian clubs ownership reshuffle as Coucke targets bigger Lille stake
By Samindra Kunti
November 28 – Lille OSC is ending its partnership with Belgian satellite club Mouscron-Péruwelz. The French club will dispense of its 51% share in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League club before Christmas to avoid a conflict of interest for Lille shareholder Marc Coucke.
Seifert interview: Bundesliga is more valuable than ever
November 27 – In an interview with German sports channel SPORT1, Bundesliga chief Christian Seifert covered a range of issues from winning championships to value of media rights. Follow the link to watch the video. Interview by Martin Quast, text by Martin Volkmar
Romanian authorities launch probe into owners of Petrolul Ploiesti
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
November 27 – Romanian prosecutors from the Directorate for the Investigation of Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) have launched a probe into the two main shareholders of the Petrolul Ploiesti club, Daniel and Nicolae Capra, and Marius Bucuroiu, the side’s general manager. The three club officials were arrested together with four others on the suspicion of tax evasion and money laundering.