Agenda now set for FIFA’s October exco gathering
September 24 – Next month’s eagerly awaited FIFA executive committee meeting will not only discuss the timing of the 2022 World Cup but a variety of other key issues.
FIFPro’s van Seggelen turns heat on Brazil 2014, and player health issues
By Andrew Warshaw
September 24 – The head of the international players’ union FIFPro has threatened to get tough with FIFA unless it is consulted over a variety of concerns, not least the scheduling at next year’s World Cup in Brazil which, he says, could potentially endanger players’ health.
Greek Super League looks set to revive relegation play-offs
By Panos Bletsos
September 24 – The Super League (SL) board of directors, the governing body of Greece’s top flight, is meeting today (September 24) to confirm the return of the 16-club format by the 2015-16 season. It has also been reported that another major change may be on the cards with the SL ruling on whether to bring in a relegation play-off for the ongoing campaign.
UEFA’s Gill confident a one-season 2022 date solution will be found
By Andrew Warshaw
September 23 – UEFA’s recently appointed executive committee member, David Gill, says every effort will be made to find a compromise that suits all parties over an alternative date if the 2022 Qatar World Cup is moved from summer.
Airtel picks up I-League title sponsorship at the last minute
By Mark Baber
September 23 – In an encouraging move for Indian football, telecoms giant Airtel signed up as title sponsor of the 2013-14 edition of the I-League, just hours before the 13-team league kicked off on Saturday.
Istanbul derby abandoned after fans invade Ataturk pitch
By Andrew Warshaw
September 23 – Turkey’s hopes of being granted the Euro 2020 semifinal and finals suffered a public relations blow at the weekend when the Istanbul derby between Galatasaray and Besiktas was abandoned after supporters invaded the pitch at the Ataturk Stadium.
UEFA witholds prize money for six Europa League clubs over unpaid debts
By Mark Baber
September 23 – UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) investigatory chamber has temporarily withheld the prize money of six clubs involved in the 2013/14 UEFA club competitions who have “important overdue payables towards other clubs and/or towards employees or social/tax authorities.”
Ukraine face sanctions as FIFA opens racism investigation
September 23 – Ukraine could be docked points or forced to play a potentially decisive World Cup qualifier behind closed doors after FIFA launched an investigation into racism.
MediaPro settles Athletic Bilbao dispute with €11.5m payout
By Gareth Messenger
September 23 – Spanish club Athletic Bilbao have reached an agreement with multimedia communications group, MediaPro, regarding a long-running dispute over television rights. The Basque La Liga side said an agreement had been reached which will see Mediapro pay the “full amount” of the money owed. The rights agency must now pay €11.5 million to Athletic Bilbao.
El Salvador slams life bans on 14 national team players for match fixing
By Andrew Warshaw
September 23 – El Salvador’s football federation has imposed life bans on 14 national team members for their roles in a match-fixing scandal. One other player was given an 18-month ban, two were suspended for six months, one was acquitted while four others face further investigation.
Zurich voters say No to new 19,000 capacity stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
September 23 – Voters in FIFA’s home city of Zurich have rejected plans to build a 19,000-capacity football stadium, the second time in five years that residents have given the thumbs down for a new venue.
FIFA expects to run up extra World Cup drug testing costs
By David Owen
September 23 – FIFA is resigned to running up unexpected extra costs to ensure that an effective drug testing programme is in operation at next year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Michel D’Hooghe (pictured), the governing body’s leading medical expert, acknowledged as much in a short telephone conversation with insideworldfootball at the weekend. D’Hooghe said the cost issue was one of the reasons FIFA was “not happy”.
Exclusive: Mayne-Nicholls re-enters fray with a Winter blueprint
By Andrew Warshaw
September 20 – The FIFA-appointed expert who first cautioned about the dangers of taking the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has come up with a timetable he says would allow for a winter tournament in January – and would satisfy most stakeholders.
Orient hammered as legal appeal to share Olympic Stadium rejected
By Andrew Warshaw
September 20 – English third tier club Leyton Orient have lost their bid to win a judicial review into the controversial decision to grant Premier League side West Ham sole football tenancy of London’s 2012 Olympic Stadium.
Venky’s post a record £27m loss at Blackburn but say funding is secure
By Mark Baber
September 20 – Venky’s London Ltd (VLL), parent company of English Championship side Blackburn Rovers, and owned by the Indian family has recorded losses of over £27 million in the past financial year.