Italian clubs probed for over-inflating transfer fees; Juve top list of most suspicious deals
October 28 – Italian prosecutors have opened a probe into dozens of transfers involving Serie A clubs.
Europe
MEPs demand values-based sports model and a stop to eco-system destroying breakaways
By Paul Nicholson
October 27 – Europe’s MEPs have called for more government oversight of sports and have made it clear in their opposition to any ‘breakaway leagues’ in a report adopted by the Committee on Culture and Education by 29 votes to 1 with one 1 abstention.
FIFPRO and European Leagues combine to demand more inclusion at UEFA’s top table
October 27 – Two key organisations in the running of European football have announced a joint initiative calling for greater influence over decisions affecting the future of the sport in the wake of the failed breakaway Super League project and the seemingly aborted plan to stage the World Cup every two years.
DFL says vaccinactions are at 90%+ of players in Bundesliga’s top two divisions
October 26 – The governing body of Germany’s top two divisions says more than 90% of players, coaches and staff from the 36 clubs involved have received vaccines against Covid-19.
Rangers mourn loss of Walter Smith, aged 73
October 27 – Tributes are pouring following the death at 73 of Walter Smith, the former Scotland and Glasgow Rangers manager who won 21 trophies in an illustrious career.
UEFA breaks down financial distribution for Women’s Euro 2022
October 26 – UEFA has issued a breakdown of the prize money for the Women’s EURO 2022 to be held in England next summer, as well as more detail of the club benefits programme which will see clubs compensated for releasing players.
12-team Euro play-off draw for Qatar 2022 set for November 26
October 26 – The eagerly anticipated 12-team European playoffs to decide who joins the 10 qualifying group winners at the World Cup in Qatar will be made on November 26.
Crowd trouble: LFP shuts Saint-Étienne stadium until at least mid-November
October 26 – Saint-Étienne, one of France’s most iconic clubs but currently bottom of Ligue 1, have been ordered to play their home games behind closed doors until at least the middle of next month after protests from angry fans delayed the start of last Friday’s 2-2 draw with Angers by an hour.
Bayern fans lobby for end to Qatar Airways sponsorship
October 26 – Bayern Munich fans have moved again against the club’s sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways, which remains contentious amongst its fans due to the airline’s state ownership and Qatar’s human rights record.
Benzema faces jail if found guilty in Valbuena sex tape blackmail case
October 26 – France and Real Madrid star Karim Benzema faces sentencing on November 24 if he is found guilty of his involvement in an attempt to blackmail his former national teammate Matthieu Valbuena. His lawyers are demanding the case be thrown out but a potential prison sentence looming if he is found guilty.
Covid fundraiser Kimmich sparks debate after revealing he isn’t jabbed
October 26 – Bayern Munich captain Joshua Kimmich has ignited another debate over vaccination against Covid-19 in Germany after he admitted he is not yet vaccinated.
European Leagues argue UCL qualification must be based on merit, not history
October 25 – UEFA have once again been urged by Europe’s major leagues to decide Champions League qualification on sporting merit alone rather than on historic performance.
Anderlecht get €93m injection in bid to restore fortunes
By Samindra Kunti
October 25 – Can new winds, fresh capital and debt restructuring rejuvenate Anderlecht? Existing shareholders and new investors are set to inject the equivalent of €93 million into the club’s finances, while CEO Jos Donvil will be exiting the club.
EU states write to Luxembourg court to formally oppose Super League plan
October 22 – The isolation of Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona over their belligerent insistence on trying to keep their Super League ambitions alive in the European courts, was highlighted again this week.
Court filing alleges AEK owner Melissanidis funnelled stolen money into Greek club
By Paul Nicholson
October 21 – Details are emerging of how controversial AEK Athens owner Dimitris Melissanidis allegedly misappropriated money from his now bankrupt shipping business to fund his own lavish lifestyle and the Greek club.