By Paul Nicholson
May 15 – The value of kit deals in the English Premier League has jumped a massive 32%, while the cost of a replica shirt in England has risen 8.3% but is still the lowest priced on average in comparison to Europe’s other major leagues, according to a report released today.
By Paul Nicholson
May 15 – The battle for premium broadcast football rights continues in the UK with ITV picking up the rights to England Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup qualifying competitions.
By Monica Villar
May 14 – Calls for an overhaul of the Spanish refereeing system are becoming louder. Spanish referees have come under fire as the season comes to a close and poor decisions potentially mean life or death in the race to survive in la Liga’s top division.
May 14 – Three-quarters of European football fans interviewed in a new survey want the option to stand while watching games.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 14 – Italian authorities have wasted no time punishing Roma for the racist chanting of their fans by slapping them with a €50,000 fine – but nothing stronger.
By Paul Nicholson
May 14 – After a two-year wait, the Italian Antitrust Authority (AGCM) has finally ruled in favour of Sky Italia that there is no evidence the broadcaster abused its dominant position in its acquisition of Champions League TV rights (2012-15) and FIFA World Cup rights for 2010 and 2014.
By Mark Baber
May 13 – FTBpro has raised $5.8 million from Israeli investors, Battery Ventures and Gemini Israel Ventures to expand its “fan-generated” content offering into new markets.
By Monica Villar
May 13 – UEFA President Michel Platini has suggested that the time has come to record conversations between referees during Champions League matches. He spoke during a visit to Lille in preparation for the 2016 European championship.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 13 – Despite a recent crackdown on racism by football’s governing bodies, Sunday’s high-profile Serie A clash between AC Milan and Roma was halted because of abusive chanting by fans. Play was stopped by the referee for about two minutes at the start of the second half after chants were aimed at Milan’s black players from visiting Roma fans.
By Monica Villar
May 10 – Sevilla president José María del Nido has again spoken out against the LFP, blaming the league for creating the economic difficulties Spanish clubs now face.
By Monica Villar
May 9 – Sporting Clube de Portugal President Bruno de Carvalho has struck out at players agents and representatives after newspapers published reports regarding his team’s squad.
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
May 9 – Landmark talks with FIFA aimed at creating an historic deal to unify football in Cyprus have stalled as Greek and Turkish Cypriot officials grapple with the wording of a firm agreement.
May 8 – Sports rights agency Kentaro, is being sued by football investment fund Global Eleven, over failing to return profits from matches played by world champions Brazil.
By Monica Villar
May 8 – The newly-elected president of the LFP, Javier Tebas has spoken out about recent accusations of match-fixing in the Levante vs Deportivo match, but has said that the allegations are not aimed at the club directly.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 8 – The cloud of doom that has hung over Scottish football all year has finally been lifted with an agreement to restructure the leagues, hopefully in time for next season. Under the deal there would be single merged governing body to oversee the domestic professional game, with improved financial redistribution.