Ronaldo rape case dismissed in US over ‘misappropriated documents’
June 13 – A US judge has dismissed a rape allegation lawsuit against Cristiano Ronaldo because of the way documents were obtained by the accuser’s legal team.
Integrity
Blatter tells Swiss court that Platini payment was fulfilment of a ‘gentleman’s agreement’
June 10 – Having been too ill to stake the stand on Wednesday in his trial for fraud, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter was well enough to face his accusers in the Swiss court in Bellinzona yesterday (Thursday) and denied that a CHF2 million payment to Michel Platini was fraudulent.
Rex Sport/SSBM open applications for new Master in Sports Law student intake
June 10 – Applications have opened for the next Rex Sport Master in International Sports Lawprogramme, held in conjunction with the Swiss business management school SSBM in Geneva.
Blatter too ill to testify as fraud trail kicks off in Bellinzona
June 9 – The start of the eagerly awaited criminal trial of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA boss Michel Platini was pushed back 24 hours on Wednesday after Blatter told the court he was too ill to testify because of chest pains.
Blatter and Platini prep for start of Swiss criminal in Bellinzona Wednesday
By Andrew Warshaw
June 7 – After an investigation lasting seven years, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, once the two most powerful officials in world football, go on trial in Switzerland on Wednesday facing fraud, embezzlement and other corruption charges in a criminal case that has gripped world football politics.
Hungarians teaching racism early? School children at ‘closed door’ England game boo taking the knee
June 6 – England manager Gareth Southgate has expressed his dismay after a crowd made up almost entirely of schoolchildren booed the England team for taking the knee before Saturday’s Nations League game against Hungary in Budapest.
Pardew quits CSKA Sofia after racist fans abuse black players
June 6 – Managers normally quit clubs either to move on to bigger and better or because they are sacked.
Germany’s Bundesliga clubs mandate sustainability criteria in club licensing rules
May 31 – Germany’s Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs have agreed to the inclusion of a binding sustainability guideline in their club licensing regulations.
Cat tale: The ancient Egyptians worshipped them. Kurt Zouma pleads guilty to kicking them
May 25 – French international defender Kurt Zouma (pictured) has pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences over video footage showing him attacking one of his cats.
Man City’s Mendy pleads not guilty to rape charges, trial set for July 25
May 25 – Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of sexual offences against six women.
Benfica Foundation signs up to SIGA’s sport integrity mission
May 19 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has signed a co-operation agreement with the Benfica Foundation, the non-profit organisation that leads on the Portuguese club’s social programmes.
PSG and Senegal star Gueye under pressure to show support for anti-homophobia initiative
May 19 – Senegalese president Macky Sall has voiced his support for Paris-Saint Germain player Idrissa Gueye, who refused to play in PSG’s match last weekend over a shirt designed to support an anti-homophobia initiative.
Racism is ‘alive and well’ in football, says Kick it Out’s Townsend
May 17 – A leading anti-racism group says incidents at Premier League matches on Sunday show “hate is alive and well within football.”
Russian clubs appeal to CAS for inclusion in next season’s Champions League
By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – Russian football, kicked out of international competition because of the invasion of Ukraine, is making another desperate attempt to return to the fold by once again going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Everton fans racially abuse families of Brentford strikers
May 16 – Two players from Premier League club Brentford claim members of their family were racially abused during Sunday’s fixture at Everton.