Russian robots poised to make their World Cup debuts
By Paul Nicholson
November 19 – According to Russian news agency Tass, scientists at Russia’s Siberian university have started building Russia’s first robot team.
Europe
Dallas resigns as head of Greek ref body after violent attack on colleague
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – Scotland’s former World Cup referee Hugh Dallas (pictured) has stepped down as head of referees in Greece just days after matches were suspended indefinitely following an attack on one of his colleagues.
Croatian FA appeals for national help to clamp down on rioting fans
November 18 – Croatian football authorities, seemingly at the end of their patience over the hooligan reputation of their fans, have called on the country’s entire society to help eradicate the problem following last weekend’s flare-throwing incident that caused a Euro 2016 qualifier in Italy to be briefly suspended.
Stadium riot interrupts Italy vs Croatia Euro qualifier, Faroes upset Greeks
November 17 – UEFA seem certain to take action after the latest incident of crowd trouble to mar a major game on the European stage. Riot police fought with fans at the high-profile Euro 2016 qualifier between Italy and Croatia that ended 1-1 as a flood of flares were hurled down the from stands, enveloping the pitch at the San Siro in thick smoke.
Racism row over Roma team in Czech Republic
By Mark Baber
November 13 – The issue of a Roma football club based in Decin in the Czech Republic, whom five league opponents have refused to play, has highlighted the racism and discrimination faced by the Roma communities in Eastern Europe and illustrates the obstacles football administrators need to overcome to ensure equal access and opportunities for all.
FC Zurich head straight to legal after ‘intentional’ stamp puts player out
November 13 – A Swiss top-flight team have initiated legal proceedings after one of its players suffered a serious injury following a horror tackle by an opponent last weekend.
AC Milan expand into Japan with Lawson sponsorship
November 12 – AC Milan have built on their popularity in Japan signing a sponsorhsip with leading retail store chain Lawson. The deal was announced at a Sponsor Day at the club by CEO and VP Barbara Berlusconi.
Movistar dials-up another two years of Spain national team sponsorship
By Mark Baber
November 12 – Movistar, which has been the main sponsor of the Spanish national team since the Euro 2012 championship in Poland and Ukraine, has extended its sponsorship to cover the period up to and including the Euro 2016 Championship in France.
Russian Premier League signs ICSS for security help
November 12 – Amid persistent crowd disturbances and allegations of corruption that do little to enhance the country’s staging of the 2018 World Cup, the Russian Football Premier League is the latest partner to be signed up by the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) to protect the country’s top division from emerging threats to safety, security and integrity.
FIFA pours cold water on Norwegian FA ‘dinner’ talk
November 11 – FIFA have moved quickly to dispel a report that claimed Sepp Blatter believes Qatar will be stripped of hosting the 2022 World Cup.
Ajax Amsterdam seals €8 million sponsorship deal with Ziggo
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
November 11 – Ajax Amsterdam has inked a sponsorship deal with local cable and media firm Ziggo. Starting in January 2015, Ziggo will replace insurance and pension firm Aegon as the club’s main sponsor under a deal worth at least €8 million per year, the side said in a statement.
France top Brazil in table of exported players to big-5 Euro leagues
By Paul Nicholson
November 11 – There has been a subtle shift in the balance of expatriate players in the big-5 leagues in Europe with a marked increase in the numbers of Europeans moving to leagues outside their home country, with the balance moving away from the exporting South American markets. The overall percentage of ‘foreign’ players in the big-5 leagues continues to rise, hitting a record 45.9%, according to figures from the CIES Football Observatory.
Shakhtar Donetsk owner in talks to buy Lviv Arena in western Ukraine
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
November 7 – Rinat Akhmetov, the owner of Shakhtar Donetsk, is considering buying Arena Lviv, where the Ukrainian club is currently hosting its home matches, according to local authority representatives.
Sportradar expands data gathering with Ukrainian partnership
November 7 – The Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) has signed a data partnership deal with Sportradar taking them to the end of the 2017/18 season.
Call for Ligue 1 boycott as comments reignite French racism row
By Mark Baber
November 7 – Racist comments by Bordeaux coach Willy Sagnol have ignited a new row in French football with his remarks being defended in some quarters whilst Pape Diouf, the former president of Olympique de Marseille) called for a boycott of Ligue 1.