UEFA President Platini to miss crucial IFAB session
By Andrew Warshaw
February 29 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) is set to miss this Saturday’s (March 3) crucial meeting of football’s lawmakers for personal reasons.
Europe
FIFA maintain moral high ground in war of words with ECA
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – The tit-for-tat war of words between Europe’s clubs and FIFA was stepped up today when football’s world governing body reacted with surprise at suggestions that relations between the two parties had irretrievably broken down.
Agents gain €400 million from the Big Five each year, reveals new survey
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – Football agents cream off a remarkable €400 million (£340 million/$540 million) a year from Europe’s professional clubs according to a new survey.
German champions announce record revenue
By David Gold
February 28 – German champions Borussia Dortmund have registered revenues of over €100 million (£84 million/$135 million) for the first time in their history.
Agreement with UEFA is major breakthrough, says ECA chair Rummenigge
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – Europe’s leading clubs today struck a landmark agreement with UEFA giving them a bigger share of the European Championship pot – but warned their relationship with FIFA was still deadlocked.
Beşiktaş President Demirören named as new TFF chairman
By David Gold
February 27 – The embattled Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has elected Beşiktaş President Yıldırım Demirören (pictured) as their new chairman at a general assembly today.
UEFA President Platini slams goal-line technology as “nonsense”
By Andrew Warshaw
February 27 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) has racked up the anticipation ahead of next weekend’s International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting by once again slamming the idea of goal-line technology, this time describing it as “nonsense”.
Exclusive: There has been no satisfactory answer to our demands, says ECA vice chair Gandini
By Andrew Warshaw
February 27 – One of the leading officials driving the campaign by Europe’s top clubs to have a greater say in the way the game is run, Umberto Gandini (pictured), has added his voice to the breakdown in talks with FIFA.
European Clubs Association boycotts talks with FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – The European Club Association (ECA), which comprises Europe’s top 200 clubs, is boycotting all further talks with FIFA because of its reluctance to streamline the international match calendar.
Scotland to invest £25 million in National Performance Centre for sport
By David Gold
February 22 – Up to £25 million ($39 million/€30 million) will be invested into the first ever national performance centre for sport in Scotland, it has been announced.
Prime Minister backs FA homophia and transphobia campaign
By David Gold
February 22 – The English Football Association has launched a campaign at Wembley Stadium, “Opening Doors and Joining In”, backed by Prime Minister David Cameron, which aims to tackle homophobia and transphobia.
Fenerbahçe chair Yıldırım protests innocence in court over match fixing allegations
By David Gold
February 22 – Fenerbahçe chairman Aziz Yıldırım (pictured) has been in court defending himself against allegations of involvement in the match fixing scandal which has thrown football in Turkey into disarray.
Porto face UEFA hearing over Manchester City chanting
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Porto for “improper conduct” of their fans during the recent Europa League match against Manchester City.
Rosneft and Gazprom investment gives Tom Tomsk spending money
By David Gold
February 21 – Ailing Russian Premier League side Tom Tomsk have been given 50 million rubles (£1.06 million/$1.7 million/€1.2 million) to invest in new players after being saved by state energy giants Rosneft and Gazprom last week.
Manchester City protest over racism towards Toure and Balotelli
By Andrew Warshaw
February 17 – Manchester City have protested to UEFA over alleged racist abuse aimed at their players during last night’s 2-1 Europa League victory at FC Porto.