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.
DR Congo hope to make it third time lucky with 2019 AFCON bid
18 February – The Democratic Republic of Congo is the latest African nation to announce their candidacy for hosting the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Reds prove devilishly hard to beat on and off the pitch
By Paul Nicholson
February 15 – Manchester United’s corporate investors are having as happy a time off the pitch as the team is currently having on it. The two are linked.
IFAB to discuss player heart-chip monitors
February 15 – Football’s lawmakers are to consider allowing players to wear electronic chips to avoid heart failures such as the one suffered by Fabrice Muamba last year.
FIFA commits to biological profiles for all players at 2014 World Cup
February 15 – Anti-doping authorities and FIFA have not always been comfortable bedfellows but both sides put on a positive spin after meeting at the headquarters of world football’s governing body on Thursday.
PFA chief Taylor says he is not the Pompey pooper
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – Professional Footballers’ Association chief Gordon Taylor has angrily denied claims his organisation is scuppering a bid by Portsmouth fans to take over the ailing English club.
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.
INSIDE World Football Relaunched
February 15 – The leading web-based magazine for the business and politics of football, INSIDE World Football, IWF, is being relaunched today, after a change of ownership.
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.