January 7 – When the draw was made for next summer’s World Cup finals, England manager Roy Hodgson said his team’s chances might well partly depend on how many players were missing through injury.
By Paul Nicholson
January 6 – English football turned its attention away from league matches to the venerable FA Cup and its third round last weekend. But it seems there is a lack of respect for age amongst the fans as well as some of the Premier League managers.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 6 – Tributes continue to pour in from across the world following the death of Eusebio, the darling of Portuguese football who will for ever be remembered as one of the game’s true greats as well as true gentlemen. Top scorer at the 1966 World Cup, Eusebio died Sunday of a heart attack at the age of 71 with Portugal declaring three days of national mourning for their “eternal symbol”
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
January 6 – Czech Republic’s Gambrinus Liga has posted improved attendance results for the 2013/2014 mid-season. After fifteen rounds, the average match attendance was 5,062 spectators, up 10.5% from 4,584 spectators in the same period a year earlier.
January 3 – The debate over which club is the biggest in the world and what actually constitutes the word “biggest” – success on the field, stadium size or fan base – is one that never ceases to prompt detailed analysis. Real Madrid? Manchester United? Barcelona?
January 2 – Reports that David Beckham could receive a knighthood proved completely unfounded when the former England captain and global footballing icon was omitted from the traditional New Year royal awards list.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – The ‘quennelle’ Nazi sign made by former French international striker Nicolas Anelka has prompted fierce reaction in both sporting and political circles that is showing no sign of abating – even though the player has promised not to repeat it.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – The joint use of the Liberty stadium in Swansea, built at a cost of £27 million, is the latest case being investigated by the European Commission as part of a widescale probe into state aid in sport. Officials have asked the local council to supply funding details of a deal which has enabled Swansea City and rugby club Ospreys to play there since 2005.
January 2 – Russian football has taken on former top FIFA official Valentin Ivanov to replace Italian Roberto Rosetti as head of its domestic refereeing department.
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
January 2 – Russian billionaire Leonid Fedun has announced that the new stadium currently being built for Spartak Moscow will cost 14 billion rubles ($426 million). Fedun told local news agency ITAR-TASS that Spartak is already receiving funds for the investment from its sponsor, Russian bank Otkritie, under a naming rights deal signed in February 2013.
December 30 – Nazi salute or innocent gesture? Whichever it was, former French international Nicolas Anelka has caused uproar in both sporting and political circles for his unusual celebration after the first of his two goals for West Bromwich Albion during last weekend’s 3-3 Premier League draw at West Ham.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 30 – UEFA President Michel Platini admits some of his policies, not least financial fair play, have made himself and his organisation unpopular but that he will not waiver from his determination to put European football on a healthier path.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 27 – Controversial Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan (pictured) has extended his European operation by agreeing to take over FK Sarajevo in Bosnia’s top division.
December 23 – UEFA has enforced its Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules with sanctions of fines and exclusion from European competitions for five clubs and a reprimand for a sixth. The sanctions all relate to overdue payments and were handed down by the UEFA Club Financial Control Body’s adjudicatory chamber.
By Alexander Krassimirov
December 23 – Bulgarian airline company Balkanian Airways has become one of the main sponsors of second tier French side Tours FC. The club and the company have signed a cooperation agreement. The Balkanian Airways logo has already put on the team’s shirts and stadium as well.