Gibraltar fears risks of match-fixing as betting market multiplies
April 28 – As it makes strides on the field to develop its fledging footballing status, Gibraltar is in danger of becoming the latest haven for match-fixing.
World Football
A-League fans pepper-sprayed by New South Wales police
By Mark Baber
April 27 – Western Sydney Wanderers’ last home game of the season on Saturday was marred by controversy as police, including members of ‘Strike Force Raptor’, a specialised force designed to carry out operatives against gangs engaging in criminal activity, reacted to a flare being lit by entering the ‘active support area’ and using OC (pepper) spray, leading to a 14-year old boy being hospitalised for 7 hours.
Cameron hammered over Villa gaffe
April 27 – He is perhaps Aston Villa’s most influential self-proclaimed supporter. But at the height of an election campaign, he suddenly forgot where his allegiance lay.
Red Star-Partisan derby features stun grenades, flares and arrests
April 27 – It’s known as the ‘eternal derby’ featuring one of the most notorious rivalries in European football. And once again it has been marred by crowd trouble.
Blatter heads for AFC talking ‘school of life’ and ‘social equality’
April 27 – Asian football chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa may have suffered an untimely blow over fresh revelations about his general secretary Dato’ Alex Soosay but it seems clear the claims have not affected FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s opinion of the AFC or its leader.
AFC cover-up allegations casts shadow over upcoming Bahrain Congress
By Andrew Warshaw
April 27 – Asian football has been rocked by fresh revelations that threaten to take the shine off Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa being re-elected unopposed as president of his confederation this week.
Bulgarian FA fines CSKA Sofia for swastika flag but ‘monkey’ jibes unpunished
By Alexander Krassimirov
April 27 – The disciplinary committee of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has punished CSKA Sofia with a fine of BGN 37,500 (€18,750) for a swastika flag which was flown by the fans during the match against Lokomotiv Sofia last weekend.
World Cup lands in Northern Ireland for Shooting for Socrates premiere
April 24 – The World Cup is coming to Northern Ireland – the trophy, not the competition.
AFC scraps pre-Congress exco as power players line up for FIFA seats
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), poised for a series of crucial election ballots, has scrapped its executive committee meeting scheduled for the eve of its 47-member Congress in Bahrain on April 30.
War on racism? Croatians turn on FARE for reporting racist chants…
By Mark Baber
April 24 – In the wake of UEFA sanctioning Croatia for the racist behaviour of same of their fans, the Croatian Football Federation turned on the Head of the Football against Racism in Europe (FARE) organiser in Croatia, falsely blaming him for the team having to play Italy behind closed doors. FARE have responded with an article on their website, which explores the issue in depth.
Gibraltar bring in Sportradar to deliver match-fixing workshops
April 24 – The war on match-fixing continued this week with a series of workshops delivered in Gibraltar, the home of Europe’s off-shore internet gaming industry.
Ajax poised to take control of Amsterdam ArenA
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
April 24 – Ajax Amsterdam aims to acquire a majority stake in the company operating the Amsterdam ArenA where the side plays its home matches. The Dutch club currently has 13% of the shares in the sports facility, while the municipal authorities of Amsterdam hold a 48% stake.
FIFPro meet EU sports chief with player transfer reform top of agenda
April 24 – The president and secretary general of the international players’ union FIFPro have met with the EU’s commissioner for Sport to re-iterate their opposition to the current transfer system.
Third time ‘lucky’ – Nigeria finally reappoint Stephen Keshi
By Mark Baber
April 24 – The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has finally reappointed Stephen Keshi as manager of the national team for the third time, bowing to the wishes of Nigeria’s out-going President Goodluck Jonathan, in a ceremony at which NFF President Amaju Pinnick was conspicuous by his absence.
Somali FA chief calls for troops to move camp from their national stadium
April 23 – The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has again called for African Peacekeeping troops to withdraw from the country’s National facility in Mogadishu and allow it to be returned to football.