TEAM marketing deal breaks new ground with UEFA
December 7 – UEFA has announced an extension of its long-term marketing partnership with TEAM Marketing.
Europe
Dutch youth players beat linesman to death
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – Dutch football and society in general has been left shocked and bewildered after a part-time volunteer linesman officiating in a youth league died from severe head injuries apparently sustained while being savagely beaten by a group of teenage players.
Football officials resume talks on divided Cyprus
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – Significant strides have been made to bridge the footballing divide in Cyprus following breakthrough talks between Greek and Turkish representatives – the first since early 2008.
Scottish leagues to be revamped to boost revenue and attendances
By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – A revolutionary blueprint has been agreed to revive Scottish football and make it more meaningful and competitive.
Malaga face UEFA sanctions over unpaid players’ wages
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – Despite being owned by Qatari investors and performing impressively in the Champions League, Malaga are facing UEFA sanctions for failing to pay millions of euros of players’ wages on time.
Zenit St Petersburg take sanction appeal to CAS
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – In a rare move, Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg are going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the Russian Football Union (RFU) turned down their appeal against being punished following serious crowd trouble at the recent domestic fixture at Dynamo Moscow.
Beckham tipped for move to Monaco
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – David Beckham, one of the icons of his generation, has been heavily linked with a career-ending move to French club Monaco as he prepares to round off his time with LA Galaxy in the United States.
Shakhtar’s Adriano hit with match ban after unsporting goal
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – One of the most bizarre instances of bad sportsmanship has been punished by UEFA with Shakhtar Donetsk’s Luiz Adriano handed a one-match ban.
UEFA considering scrapping Europa League in favour of expanded Champions League
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – Despite considerable efforts to make it more appealing and competitive, UEFA is now considering ditching the much-maligned Europa League and doubling the size of the Champions League.
Portsmouth fans to learn fate of beleaguered club next month
By Andrew Warshaw
November 27 – Fans hoping to own crisis club Portsmouth will find out whether they have succeeded when matters come to a head in court next month – with the prospect of liquidation if they lose.
FIFA suspends Switzerland World Cup coach Hitzfeld for offensive gesture
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has been suspended for two FIFA World Cup qualifiers for making an offensive gesture at the referee during the home fixture with Norway last month.
Tributes paid to world’s oldest football coach Ivor Powell
By Mike Rowbottom
November 23 – The life of Ivor Powell – footballer, coach and inspirational force – has been celebrated by staff and alumni at the University of Bath in a tribute event at the Sports Training Village that followed his funeral service.
Spurs fan stabbed and ten injured as Lazio supporters launch vicious attack
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – Ten Tottenham Hotspur fans – nine British and one American – are recovering after being injured in a violent attack by Lazio supporters ahead of the Europa League fixture between the teams in Rome tonight.
UEFA postpones decision on Serbia-England brawl
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – A UEFA disciplinary hearing into the racist chanting and post-match melee that marred last month’s explosive European under-21 fixture between Serbia and England, due to be held today, has been postponed until mid-December.
European managers want video and goal-line technology reveals poll
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – European coaches want more clarification over the handball rule – and most would like to see video technology introduced, instead of just for goal-line incidents.