Cologne fan invasion delays Euro game as Arsenal outgunned in the stands
September 15 – As anticipated, UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings following chaotic scenes that marred Arsenal’s Europa League fixture against Cologne last night.
Barca launch build of new €19m stadium named after Cryuff at training ground
September 15 – Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu (pictured) led a ground breaking ceremony yesterday for the club’s new Johan Cruyff stadium that will house its second team, women’s team and European matches for its U19 team.
Atlético Madrid to open new Wanda Metropolitano stadium with 12 hour party and a match
September 15 – Atlético Madrid open their new 67,703-capacity Estadio Wanda Metropolitano stadium tomorrow with a 12 hour celebration that will include their first home match of the season against Malaga.
Comment: Maduro opens Pandora’s Box. What next for FIFA?
By Andrew Warshaw
The FIFA-appointed lawyer was the first to arrive, briefcase and notes in hand, an hour before the hearing.
Infantino punched again as ethics guru Weiler blows whistle on political manipulation
By Paul Nicholson
September 14 – At FIFA they come like buses, you wait for one and another follows right behind. No sooner had sacked former chairman of FIFA governance committee Miguel Maduro lifted the lid on new FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s manipulations of the ethics system, than another former governance committee member revealed that he had filed a complaint to FIFA Ethics.
Rooney is not alone. Footballers more likely to commit crime than any other athlete
September 14 – It seems footballers are following the example of their administrators by being leaders when it comes to a comparison of athletes from different sports who commit crime off the pitch.
Syria fix dates and Malaysian ‘home’ venue for next stage of World Cup journey
September 14 – Syria will host the first leg of their historic Asian World Cup playoff against Australia on October 5 in the Malaysian city of Melacca.
Violence in Slovenia as Spartak Moscow fans fire flare at ref
September 14 – As concerns grow about hooliganism at the World Cup, Russian fans are in trouble again after a dangerous flare was fired from the away end in the direction of the referee during Moscow Spartak’s Champions League draw away to Maribor.
Beitar boss quits after saying he would never sign a Muslim at the club
September 14 – The new adviser to Israel’s Beitar Jerusalem, the most nationalistic club in the country, has quit a mere 10 days after assuming the post for refusing to apologise for declaring he would never sign a Muslim player.
New Balance expand in Russia with FC Rubin kit deal
September 14 – New Balance has expanded into Russia with the its first kit deal with a Russian Super League club FC Rubin.
FIFA gags Borbely from speaking at UK sports corruption inquiry
By Andrew Warshaw
September 13 – Cornel Borbely (pictured), FIFA’s former ethics investigations chief whose work brought down a string of corrupt officials, has been barred from giving evidence to a British parliamentary committee, blatantly calling into question FIFA’s insistence it has nothing to hide and that the dark days of corruption are over.
Maduro blows lid off Infantino’s commitment to reform
By Andrew Warshaw
September 13 – FIFA’s entire approach to ethical standards under Gianni Infantino came under attack today by the man ousted as the organisation’s chief governance and electoral watchdog.
EFL ties up £600m Sky deal and opens up live streaming market in UK
By Paul Nicholson
September 13 – Sky and the English Football League (EFL) have agreed a five-year £600 million broadcasting deal starting with the 2019/20 season.
Real Madrid enter theme park business in China with Lai Sun Group
September 13 – Real Madrid have partnered with Lai Sun Group to create a presence at a Chinese theme park in a cultural development in Hengqin, China.
Libya demands World Cup replay after referee’s wife is found to be Tunisian
By Mark Baber
September 13 – The Libyan Football Federation has reportedly demanded that FIFA order and replay of their World Cup qualifier against Tunisia as the Kenyan referee who officiated the game is married to a Tunisian woman.