Russian court saves Romanov from trial in Lithuania
August 28 – Vladimir Romanov, a shareholder in failed Lithuanian bank Ukio Bankas and former owner of Scottish club Hearts, has been granted safe haven in Russia.
Europe
European chiefs gather expectantly as Platini holds court in Monaco
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
August 27 – Will he or won’t he? After months of speculation amid an intriguing and inconclusive game of cat and mouse, UEFA boss Michel Platini is expected to reveal on Thursday whether he has decided to risk taking on Sepp Blatter next year for the top job in world football.
Ludogorets face stadium crisis if they qualify for CL group stages
By Alexander Krassimirov
August 27 – Bulgarian champions Ludogorets could be forced to play its matches in the group phase of the Champions League outside Bulgaria if they beat Romania’s Steaua in the playoffs. The second match against the Romanians is tonight in Sofia, with Steaua leading by a goal.
UEFA Emergency Panel decision de-escalates Crimean club controversy
By Mark Baber
August 26 – On Friday, UEFA’s Emergency Panel issued a statement saying that “any football matches played by Crimean clubs organised under the auspices of the Russian Football Union will not be recognised by UEFA.” The decision has been welcomed as a wise one by Russian football authorities.
Simeone has ban doubled after protesting over head-case incident
August 26 – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has been handed an eight-match ban for his antics during the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against rivals Real.
Broadcast rights row threatens Russian TV coverage of Euros
August 26 – A row has broken out with Russia over the cost of the TV rights to broadcast the EURO 2016 qualifiers and finals, forcing sports minister Vitaly Mutko to step in and seek a solution.
Italian FA says Tavecchio’s ‘banana-eater’ comments were OK, no racism case to answer
By Andrew Warshaw
August 26 – In a move that seems likely to cause considerable consternation, the Italian football federation (FIGC) has ruled that its new president Carlo Tavecchio has no case to answer over allegedly racist comments he made during the recent election campaign.
Valerenga set sights on €80m new stadium complex
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
August 26 – Municipal authorities in Oslo have approved a plan to build a new stadium for Valerenga. The new facility will allow the Norwegian side to move from Ullevaal, the country’s national stadium, where it currently plays its home matches.
FC Aktobe unveils new stadium as Kazakhstan aims to build its football base
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
August 25 – FC Aktobe has unveiled plans to build a new stadium with a seating capacity of 32,000. The Kazakh club says the construction of a new sports facility will be supported by the country’s government as parts of efforts to promote football. The side’s current stadium has a capacity of some 13,500 seats.
Botev stadium build to restart after new owners takes control
By Alexander Krassimirov
August 22 – The construction of Botev Plovdiv’s Hristo Botev stadium will restart next week after the club’s owner, Tsvetan Vasilev, decided to transfer his shares to his business partner Veselin Bushev.
No place like home for Sky Blues
By David Owen
August 21 – Coventry City, the English third-tier club, will resume playing their home games at home next month, after more than a season in residence at Northampton Town’s Sixfields Stadium, nearly 50km away.
Arsenal complain to UEFA after bottle thrown at CL qualifier
August 21 – Arsenal have lodged a complaint with UEFA after a bottle was thrown at manager Arsène Wenger at the end of Tuesday’s tension-filled Champions League 0-0 playoff first-leg draw against Besiktas.
Mr Manchester ‘United’ loses Bulgarian court battle over name change
By Alexander Krassimirov
August 21 – A Manchester United fan from Bulgaria has tattooed the club crest on his forehead in protest against the court system in the country.
Legia fury unabated as admin staff sacked and fans resort to threats
By Andrew Warshaw
August 21 – Despite pleading their innocence and accusing UEFA of foul play, Legia Warsaw have dismissed the administrator considered responsible for the clerical error led to the Polish club being thrown out of the Champions League.
In Scotland, another woman coach graduates into men’s football
By David Owen
August 20 – The University of Stirling claims to have made history by appointing the first woman manager in British men’s senior football.