Villar wins praise as Spanish federation passes on state subsidy
By Mark Baber
September 17 – The Spanish football federation (RFEF) is to forego a state subsidy for the third year in a row in 2014, according to the Spanish Sports Council.
Europe
Genoa spy denied by HQ as a lone ranger as mission rumbled
By Andrew Warshaw
September 17 – One of football’s more bizarre episodes is still gripping the Italian public and media after a coach from Genoa was caught “spying” on local rivals Sampdoria dressed in Rambo-style camouflage ahead of their derby clash last Sunday.
Platini takes more time to think over challenge for FIFA presidency
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
September 17 – UEFA president Michel Platini says it would be “heartbreaking” to leave the organisation and has put off any decision to run for the FIFA presidency until next year’s World Cup in Brazil at the earliest.
Euro leagues have a good month on Facebook
By Paul Nicholson
September 16 – A report by Socialbakers for August shows the Premier League as the world’s fastest growing sports Facebook site over the month, with 1.2 million new fans. Second is the UEFA Champions League with the UEFA Europa League coming in third with just over 500,000 new fans.
Ooredoo connects with PSG for youth-driven promo
By Mark Baber
September 16 – PSG have further strengthened ties with Qatar, signing a sponsorship with the Qatar-based communications company Ooredoo who will sponsor Paris Saint-Germain in a deal focused on football coaching for youth. The deal will run through to 2018.
Hillsborough investigation could bring manslaughter charges
By Andrew Warshaw
September 13 – The new criminal investigation into the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster, in which 96 fans died, could lead to manslaughter charges, according to the head of the inquiry.
CSKA reject €40m ISF cash offer to build new stadium
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 13 – Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia has turned down a €40 million investment offer for a new stadium from German company ISF, CSKA rejected the deal after failing to agree to conditions that included handing over the stadium to ISF to maintain and operate, shared use of the stadium with another club and the Bulgarian national team.
Czech and Slovak players arrested in swoop on match-fixers
By Andrew Warshaw
September 13 – The scourge of match-fixing throughout European football has now hit the Czech Republic and neighbouring Slovakia with 19 current and former players charged, and 20 others summoned for questioning over links to illegal betting dens in Asia.
Newcastle academics call for restrictions on booze ads at football
By Mark Baber
September 12 – Academics at Newcastle University say that the government should consider restricting alcohol marketing during televised football matches, “after studying a selection of games and finding they were ‘bombarded’ by references [sic] to drink.”
Azerbaijan joins the race for Euros 2020 hosting with new Baku venue
By Paul Nicholson
September 12 – Azerbaijan have added their name to the list of European nations bidding to host matches at the Euro 2020 tournament, putting forward Baku and the new Olympic stadium currently under construction as their venue.
Belgians put in Euros 2020 bid after new stadium deal agreed
By Andrew Warshaw
September 12 – Belgium became one of the last countries to throw their hat into the ring to stage matches at Euro 2020, proposing Brussels as a venue on the eve of today’s deadline day for applications to host the revolutionary pan-European finals.
ING build on Belgian success with sponsorship renewal
By Mark Baber
September 12 – The Belgian Football Association has extended its sponsorship deal with the Belgian arm of Dutch financial services firm ING for a further five years, taking the partnership through to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The deal includes sponsorship of the Belgian national team – the Red Devils – and continues INGs partnership with Belgian referees.
Bulgaria’s Bojinov takes action against Sporting for ‘absence’ sacking
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 11 – Bulgarian international Valeri Bojinov and his agent Gennaro Palomba have initiated proceedings against Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon. The footballer has filed a complaint to FIFA after the Portuguese club sacked him disciplinary and terminated his 3-year contract.
Istanbul confirms Euro 2020 candidacy alongside Budapest and Belgrade
By Mark Baber
September 11 – As the deadline for candidates to inform UEFA of their candidacy to host matches of the 2020 European Championships beckons, Istanbul, Budapest and Belgrade have officially thrown their hats into the ring.
Clubs reject shorter transfer window but say FFP is working
By Andrew Warshaw in Geneva
September 11 – European clubs are refusing to condone UEFA’s efforts to shorten the summer transfer window but hope to find common ground to avoid the disrupting scenario of star players being bought and sold when league seasons are already well under way.