Europe Archives - Page 445 of 519 - Inside World Football

Age is no barrier in football; Bulgaria’s ex-PM makes pro debut at 54

boyko borisov

By Alexander Krassimirov
August 29 – Bulgaria’s former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov (pictured) has set a record as the oldest professional football player in the history of Bulgaria. The leader of the GERB political party was registered as a professional footballer in the Bulgarian Football Union on August 19 and a week later officially made his debut in Vitosha Bistritsa’s goalless draw against Rakovski in the country’s second-tier league (B grupa).

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Doing the right thing: Yeovil boss allows equaliser after controversial goal

Bimingham vs yeovil

By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – Football clubs are often accused of self-interest and lack of sportsmanship so hats off to Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson for at least trying to partially make amends after admitting poor judgement by him and his team.

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Russians refuse visa for Swiss-based Kosovan to play in Europa League tie

kristian nushi

By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – The thorny issue of Kosovan eligibility is back in the spotlight after a Swiss-based player was refused a visa by Russia to play for St Gallen in a Europa League game on Thursday. St Gallen midfielder Kristian Nushi, who moved to Switzerland 11 years ago but still holds a Kosovan passport, will therefore miss the playoff second leg at Spartak Moscow.

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Nike re-sign with Inter for €200m, and prepare a route for return of Eto’o

By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – Inter Milan have renewed their sponsorship agreement with Nike by signing a 10-year deal worth a reported €200 million in what has become one of football’s longest established partnerships.

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Blatter expecting Russian clarification on gay propaganda law imminently

Vladimir Putin 2

By Mark Baber
August 27 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter is expecting a reply in the next few days from Russian authorities about the recently passed law banning “propaganda” to minors on “non-traditional relations.”

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Madrid crank up Bale cash machine with TV switch and shirts on sale already

Gareth Bale

By ‘Alex O’Loughlin
August 27 – Gareth Bale looks set to join Real Madrid before the close of the transfer market for a world record fee in excess of €90 million, and Madrid have already started work on recouping that ooutlay.

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CSKA Sofia drama builds as GLOBUL ends sponsorship

cska sofia fans

By Alexander Krassimirov
August 27 – Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia will lose its main sponsor GLOBUL. The telecommunication company, which is the second largest in Bulgaria announced that it would not continue its cooperation with the club when the current sponsorship contract expires at the end of August.

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Anelka mourns loss of Manasse and ponders own future

Nicolas Anelka

By Andrew Warshaw
August 26 – Former French international striker Nicolas Anelka is reported to be considering retiring following the death of his agent, Eric Manasse.

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Kühne dictates it’s Magath, the ‘last dictator in Europe’, or he’s out at HSV

Felix Magath

By Mark Baber
August 26- Swiss billionaire investor Klaus-Michael Kühne wants to see radical reforms and Felix Magath, known for his tough management style, brought in to run Hamburger SV – and unless he gets his way he will not be putting any more of his money into the club.

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Spanish taxman lines up €50m payout from La Liga superstars

Lionel Messi 2

By Alex O’Loughlin
August 26 – The Spanish tax authorities will collect almost €50 million from star trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar for the 2013-14 tax year.

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Barca are first sports team to hit a million YouTube subs

Barca on YouTube

By Alex O’Loughlin
August 23 – Barcelona have become the first football club in the world to boast more than a million YouTube subscribers to its channel.

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UEFA hands out life bans to Armenian refs for match-fixing attempt

UEFA badge

By Mark Baber
August 23 – Armenian referee Andranik Arsenyan and assistant Hovhannes Avagyan have been handed life bans by UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body (CDB) after admitting attempting to manipulate the outcome of a Europa League match.

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On-Off Bale saga now looks set to smash world record transfer fee

Gareth Bale

By Andrew Warshaw
August 23 – The world record fee for a footballer looks set to be smashed in the next few days when Tottenham Hotspur’s exciting Welshman Gareth Bale is finally sold to Real Madrid after a long-drawn-out transfer saga.

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English FA rings more change as Pearce exits and Southgate returns

Gareth Southgate

August 23 – The future of English football at under-21 level and below has been placed in the hands of Gareth Southgate who is heading back to the Football Association in succession to Stuart Pearce, who left in June after a disappointing group stage exit at the European under-21 finals in Israel.

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FA celebrates old rule book, Dyke still wants new thinking on Winter 2022

Dyke and Hodgson

By Andrew Warshaw
August 22 – English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has again reiterated his preference for a winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Dyke, who succeeded David Bernstein earlier this summer, has already clashed with the Premier League which is leading the campaign to keep the tournament in June and July.