Greece’s Irodotos heavily sanctioned after Ethnikos fan death
October 23 – A Greek third division club has been heavily sanctioned following the death of a rival fan last month after being attacked.
Brazil’s Santos suffer World Cup blues as accounts bleed red
By Ricardo Setyon
October 23 – Santos, one of the world’s most iconic football clubs and the home team of Pele and more recently Neymar, is facing the battle of its life, perhaps even for its life. Expensive player acquisitions, dwindling attendances and 2015 TV money already spent, the club is in a desperate financial position despite currently sitting 7th in the Brasileirão.
Can FIFA legally publish the Garcia corruption report?
Writing in LawInSport, Hill Dickinson lawyer Kevin Carpenter examines whether FIFA can legally publish the Garcia report into the allegations of corruption surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids. He also looks at the legal position in relation to the publication/confidentiality of the report.
Lennart Johansson career explored in new TV documentary
By David Owen
October 23 – A new TV documentary on the career of former UEFA President Lennart Johansson has been produced by the Swedish company, Mastroc Mediaproduktion.
IMG adds MLS and US national teams to its TV sales catalogue
By Paul Nicholson
October 23 – IMG has signed an eight year TV and media representation deal with Major League Soccer (MLS) and the national federation, U.S. Soccer, to sell rights outside the US and Canada, The agreement, starts in 2015 and runs through to 2022.
Gourlay resigns from Chelsea for new challenges
October 22 – Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay is leaving the club after 10 years, five of them as chief executive. The split is amicable, Gourlay is said to be leaving to pursue “new business opportunities”.
Prince Ali poised to run for position at the head of the FIFA table
By Paul Nicholson
October 22 – Latest rumours are that Asia’s FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan has been persuaded to run for the presidency of FIFA. If confirmed he could be the third candidate prepared to take on current FIFA president Sepp Blatter in his bid for a fifth term at the head of the world governing body.
Horne to leave English FA
October 22 – English Football Association general secretary Alex Horne, who has done much to try and improve relations between his federation and the game’s governing bodies, is to leave the organisation in January after serving in a variety of different roles for 11 years.
Polish businessman takes Flota Swinoujscie from public to private ownership
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
October 22 – Polish businessman Jerzy Wozniak has taken just over 96% stake in Flota Swinoujscie, which turned itself into a private limited company. The club’s association holds 3% of the shares, and the Polish city, which previously financed by side, was allocated a 1% stake.
British government acts to stimulate fan ownership of clubs
22 October – A new initiative which aims to help supporters have a greater say in the running of their club is being set up by the British government in conjunction with the football authorities.
Pirelli – Inter: Is one of football’s longest partnerships on the rocks?
By Mark Baber
October 22 – Comments by Michael Bolingbroke, CEO of Inter, on the future relationship of the club with Pirelli have ignited speculation as to whether the 20 year partnership may be possibly be coming to an end.
Sorokin says No to racism, boycotts are pointless, and Ukraine are welcome
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – The head of Russia’s 2018 World Cup organizing committee insists that football in his country is not institutionally racist but admits that widely publicised episodes of abuse by fans, combined with instances of hooliganism, were doing nothing to enhance the country’s image.
So far so good, as FIFA team ends first Russia 2018 stadium ‘tour’
October 22 – FIFA inspectors say they are happy with Russia’s early preparations for the 2018 World Cup – in contrast to the concerns over delays that enveloped Brazil ahead of last summer’s tournament.
City blow hot over away fan ban after a cold lonely night in Moscow
October 22 – UEFA’s decision to slap a three-game behind-closed-door home ban on CSKA Moscow for a series of misdemeanours has been criticized by the captain of Manchester City whose fans were also excluded from last night’s 2-2 Champions League draw.
Platini savages TPO and calls for ‘tailor-made legal framework’
By David Owen
October 21 – Michel Platini, the UEFA President, has used a keynote speech to European Union (EU) Sports Ministers in Rome to launch a scathing attack on the practice of third-party ownership (TPO).