Oldham sack ‘failed’ spotfixer Montano for gross misconduct
By Andrew Warshaw
December 18 – One of the players at the centre of the English spotfixing scandal has been sacked by his club on the grounds of gross misconduct.
World Football
Miami MLS franchise edges closer with Becks getting city stadium support
December 18 – David Beckham’s plans to move into club ownership in the US have taken a significant step forward after local Miami officials unanimously approved efforts to find a suitable stadium location in the city.
Spanish clubs face meltdown if EU finds tax grants were illegal
By Andrew Warshaw
December 17 – Seven Spanish clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, could be investigated for allegedly obtaining illegal state aid or loans in breach of European Union regulations.
Gattuso arrested as Italian match-fixing clean-up digs deeper into Serie A
December 17 – Former AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, one of the most iconic figures in Italian football, is reportedly being investigated for match-fixing.
Fast-build Twitter account scams target World Cup and CL draws
By Tom Parsons
December 17 – Twitter accounts predicting the outcomes of several high-profile football draws, leading some to conclude that those in charge of the draws are corrupt, have turned out to be a scam to build twitter audiences for these newly created and so-called ‘ITK’ (in the know) accounts.
Portuguese, Polish investors eye Lechia Gdansk
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
December 17 – The majority shareholder of Lechia Gdansk, currently playing in the Ekstraklasa, is planning to sell its stake in the Polish football club.
Messi demands retraction over false summer tour accusations
By Andrew Warshaw
December 17 – Already embroiled in a tax evasion case that has clouded his image, Lionel Messi, through his representatives, has fiercely denied allegations in a Spanish newspaper that his father is suspected of being involved in helping to launder Colombian drug money.
Battle of the big guns: CL draw lines up high flyers and higher spenders
December 16 – Big-spending Manchester City’s reward for reaching the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time is a mouth-watering clash with four-time winners Barcelona, while holders Bayern Munich face Arsenal for the second year in a row in the other big tie of the last 16 following today’s draw.
Morgan and Peralta top inaugural CONCACAF awards
December 16 – CONCACAF have announced the winners of their inaugural Confederation awards across six categories. Mexico’s Oribe Peralta and Alex Morgan (pictured) of the United States were named the first-ever CONCACAF Male and Female Players of the Year.
US Soccer gets go-ahead to rejig Champions League qualification process
By Paul Nicholson
December 16 – US clubs have had their qualification process for their four Champions League spots changed following a request by US Soccer to CONCACAF. The region’s top club competition has to date been dominated by Mexican clubs who have won every edition.
Valencia on the sales block as Sevilla seek new president
December 13 – Valencia, struggling with €300 million of debt, has run into further trouble with Bankia, who holds most of the debt, saying there will no refinancing available for the club.
Zenit condemns fans after another night of Champions League turmoil
December 13 – Zenit St Petersburg have admitted their Champions League fixture against Austria Vienna this week was almost called off because of their fans. The Macedonian referee had to stop play for several minutes in the first half of Zenit’s 4-1 defeat when a number of flares were thrown from the visiting Russian supporters.
Levski Sofia stadium build put on hold as money drys up
By Alexander Krassimirov
December 13 – Bulgarian club Levski Sofia has put the reconstruction of its Georgi Asparuhov stadium on hold which new money is sought to complete the build.
Welsh look to future and declare hosting ambitions
By Andrew Warshaw
December 13 – Wales could be a surprise bidder for the 2026 World Cup in partnership with England and/or other British federations. Cardiff has already been selected to host next year’s UEFA Super Cup, only the second time it has not been staged in Monaco, and Wales First Minister Carwyn Jones said his country was keen to use the opportunity to further its credentials.
UEFA sees yellow and calls on IFAB to ease the ‘triple’ troubles
By Andrew Warshaw
December 13 – UEFA wants football’s lawmakers to scrap the so-called “triple punishment” rule that many in the game feel is too draconian.