Europa Cup final corporate tickets still available
February 19 – Corporate hospitality packages for the UEFA Europa League final at the Amsterdam ArenA on May 15 are still available, 2 months after the sales programme was launched.
World Football
Harris sweetens his bid by opening to Pompey fans trust
By Andrew Warshaw
February 18 – A consortium led by Keith Harris, former chairman of the Football League but in recent years a leading football financier acting for a number of high-profile clients, has not given up taking over Portsmouth in yet another new twist to the biggest soap opera in English football ownership.
UEFA issues tender for big event ticketing
February 18 – UEFA has issued another tender for suppliers, this time a request for IT proposals for ticketing and hospitality solutions for its major events.
Serbian U21 penalties increased, slightly, after UEFA appeals racism ruling
February 18 – UEFA have increased the penalty on Serbia following the explosive Euro 2013 under-21 play-off match against England in October.
Blazer is latest Exco member to call it a day, after 16 years
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
February 18 – Chuck Blazer, the larger-than-life whistleblower who sparked the infamous cash-for-votes scandal that led to a spate of resignations and suspensions among senior figures at FIFA, is stepping down from the world governing body’s executive committee after 16 years.
Barça chase former board members for €23m deficit
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
February 15 – Barçelona, with their fan membership scheme, have often been trumpeted as the ideal model for running a football club but even they are now embroiled in an off-the-field dispute making headlines in Spain.
Berlusconi feels the economic pinch and warns Milan may be for sale
February 14 – AC Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi has again hinted strongly that the iconic Italian club could be sold to outside investors as a result of the economic climate.
Keshi: He wins, he quits, but now he’s back … we think
By Andrew Warshaw
February 14 – Just days after announcing he was resigning having led Nigeria to African Nations Cup glory, Stephen Keshi has performed a u-turn after an apparent meeting with high-ranking political officials.
Pompey saga continues as PFA dispute delays court hearing
By Andrew Warshaw
February 14 – The long-running attempt by fans to save Portsmouth Football Club has suffered yet another delay after a High Court hearing to determine the future of the iconic English club was adjourned for a fourth time.
Former South African assistant coach jailed for match fixing
February 14 – Despite successfully hosting the African Nations Cup, South African football continues to make negative headlines off the field in terms of its on-going involvement in match fixing.
Fox digs deeper into CONCACAF pyramid to add new TV rights
February 14 – The battle to be the leading football broadcaster in the US has heated up with FOX Soccer digging deeper into the age-group football pyramid announcing rights to a package of five Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) events.
Qatar builds its tourism on back of World Cup investment
February 14 – Tourism is being given a massive facelift in Qatar as the country continues to build its infrastructure ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Champions League odyssey wipes out Celtic’s debt
February 13 – Celtic may have lost on the pitch in their Champions League first leg last 16 tie with Juventus last night, but off the pitch they are without doubt Champions League winners.
Hammers edge close to stadium move to Olympic Park
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
February 13 – The long-running saga over using the London 2012 Olympic stadium for football appears to be a step closer following talks between West Ham United and legacy chiefs.
Inter fined after Balotelli thrown into middle of second race row
February 13 – Football has been struck by yet another episode of racism with Inter Milan fined €15,000 euros by the Italian league for abusive chanting by their fans towards Mario Balotelli who has just joined arch-rivals AC Milan from Manchester City.