Swedes rule not to replay abandoned game out of respect for dead fan
April 15 – A Swedish first division game abandoned after a supporter died in clashes before kick-off will not be replayed.
Europe
Turks confident they are in pole position to host Euro 2020 semis and final
By Andrew Warshaw
April 14 – Two weeks before the deadline for final bid dossiers to be submitted to UEFA, Turkey looks to have cemented its status as favourites to stage the semi finals and final of Euro 2020.
Rangers win at casino but boardroom money rows rumble on
By Paul Nicholson
April 14 – Rangers’ financial turmoil has received a much-need positive boost with the announcement of online gaming firm 32Red as its new shirt sponsor. The three-year deal will start next season. 32 Red takes over from Blackthorn cider.
UEFA warn Chelsea off chasing fee for Atletico keeper pre CL clash
April 11 – UEFA have issued a warning to Chelsea against trying to seek a fee for loaned out goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois playing them in the Champions League semifinals for Atletico Madrid.
Bulgarians reach deal for new €40m national stadium
By Alexander Krassimirov
April 11 – The Bulgarian Football Union, Bulgarian club Slavia and German investment company IFS have signed a preliminary agreement to build a new national stadium in Sofia. The deal between the three parties was finalised this week.
Turkish legend Hakan Sukur has name stripped from Istanbul stadium
By Alexander Krassimirov
April 11 – Hakan Sukur’s nameplate in the Istanbul stadium named after him – Sancaktepe Hakan Sukur Stadium – has been removed by municipal workers after he resigned from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Kosovo adds two more friendlies despite Serbian opposition
By Andrew Warshaw
April 10 – Despite continuing consternation by Serbia, Kosovo has broken yet new ground by arranging two more friendlies as it takes advantage of its new found status approved by FIFA.
Rome’s Stadio Olimpico beats Milan as Italy’s candidate for Euro 2020
By Mark Baber
April 10 – The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is putting forward Rome’s Stadio Olimpico as Italy’s candidate for Euro 2020. As the European football championship marks its 60th anniversary with a tournament to be hosted in 13 cities of the continent Italy will be bidding for a standard package only.
Allam to appeal name change and readies for big cat fight
By Andrew Warshaw
April 10- The symbolic Hull City name change saga that has generated interest way beyond English shores has taken yet another turn — just days before one of the biggest games in the club’s history.
English act to save betting face with players and officials ban
April 10- English football authorities are seeking a blanket ban on all gambling on matches by top-level players and officials following a string of embarrassing betting-related incidents.
UNICEF take $2m Barca cash and pass off child welfare issues to ‘stakeholders’
By Matt Scott
April 10 – UNICEF seems satisfied with Barcelona’s child-welfare practices despite the 12-month transfer ban the four-times European Cup winners received last week.
Portugal Telecom: one team, two brands; one competition, two genders
By Mark Baber
April 9 – Portugal Telecom (PT), Portugal’s largest telecommunications services provider, has launched two separate but innovative marketing initiatives over the last two weeks. Players from PT sponsored clubs have been displaying different PT brands on their shirts, depending on their age, whilst the company is separately sponsoring a mixed five-a-side football competition in schools.
Czech club SC Znojmo eyes €3.3 million in subsidies for stadium upgrade
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
April 9 – With the aim of securing funds to modernise its stadium, SC Znojmo is currently in talks with the Czech Ministry of Education to obtain CZK 90 million (€3.3 million) in subsidies.
PSG sign Huawei and move to build their platform in the Far East
By Andrew Warshaw
April 9 – Paris St Germain are making a major push into the Chinese market both to enhance their own ambitions to become one of European football’s superpowers and also to take on the Premier League. The French club has just signed a new sponsorship deal with Chinese telecommunications giants Huawei and also planning to play at least one game in China during the close season.
Cellino in at Leeds, sacks his 36th manager and targets Premier League
By Andrew Warshaw
April 9 – Italian entrepreneur Massimo Cellino has completed his takeover of iconic English club Leeds United, according to his lawyers, in a deal worth more than £30 million – much of it used to pay off the Championship club’s debts.