Fenerbahce player escapes after car fired at in ‘terrorist’ attack
August 12 – A top-flight Turkish footballer has escaped unharmed after gunmen fired on his bulletproof car in Istanbul.
Europe
Germany’s Continental adds Brazil to roster with Copa do Brasil tie-up
August 11 – Tyre manufacturer Continental has signed up to sponsor the Copa do Brasil, the Brazilian Cup organized by the Brazilian Football Confederation CBF.
German Cup game abandoned after ref struck by lighter
August 11 – A German Cup first-round tie between third division VfL Osnabruck and RB Leipzig was abandoned in the 71st minute on Monday after the referee was struck by a lighter thrown from a section of the crowd.
Ukraine moves towards law to criminalise match-fixing
August 11 – Two Ukrainian lawmakers, Andriy Kozhemiakin and Andriy Pavelko (pictured), the latter president of the country’s football federation, have registered a bill in parliament that would criminalise corruption and eradicate match-fixing.
Polish FA chief Boniek enters racism row defending Lech Poznan
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
August 10 – Zbigniew Boniek (pictured), the president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN) and former Polish international with spells at Roma and Juventus, has spurred controversy with a string of negative tweets criticising Never Again (Nigdy Wiecej), a Polish anti-racist association which cooperates with the anti-discrimination group FARE.
One game, one loss and Bielsa quits Marseilles leaving stunned fans and board
By Andrew Warshaw
August 10 – Marseille are looking for a new coach after one solitary game of the new French season. Marcelo Bielsa stunned supporters by announcing his resignation within minutes of their opening-day Ligue 1 defeat by Caen having just started his second campaign in charge.
Hertha bus shot, no-one hurt
August 10 – Police in Germany are investigating an unprovoked attack on a Bundesliga team bus which was on its way to pick up players travelling to an away game.
Carrard takes time to consider taking FIFA reform lead
By Andrew Warshaw
August 7 – Former International Olympic Committee director general Francois Carrard (pictured) has emerged as a possible chairman of FIFA’s reform taskforce set up in the light of the unprecedented corruption scandal that has enveloped the organisation.
PSG kick off Ligue 1 but expectancy already turning to European competition
By Samindra Kunti
August 7 – Today Paris Saint Germain kick off Ligue 1 with an away game to Lille. The question is not if the Parisians will dominate domestic French football, but how far they can progress in the UEFA Champions League?
Dutch arrest 53 as local rivalry turns ‘friendly’ Europa qualifier ugly
August 7 – Police made 53 arrests, though only three of them supporters of visiting Southampton, before the English club’s Europa League tie against Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday.
Games called off as Dutch season start disrupted by police strike
By Mark Baber
August 7 – Industrial action by the Dutch police has led to the postponement of five Eredivisie matches at the start of the new season, the Dutch football association KNVB announced on Thursday.
Koeman’s Saints march on, but Bilic’s Hammers hit sour note
By Andrew Warshaw
August 6 – The Europa League may be the poorer sister of the Champions League but before it is has even got into its stride this season, UEFA’s number two club competition is splitting opinion about whether it worth prioritising – and not just among fans.
Barca build towards €1bn pa revenue bonanza by 2021
By Paul Nicholson
August 6 – Barcelona published their 2014/15 financial statement showing revenue of €608 million, the largest ever by any sporting club. But this is peanuts as by 2021 the club says it will grow revenue to more than €1 billion annually. Football Benchmark, the data and analysis arm of KPMG’s sports practice, says this isn’t just idle talk.
Legia awarded 3-0 win, Fred alright said UEFA
August 5 – UEFA have awarded Legia Warsaw a 3-0 victory in their Europa League match away to FK Kukesi that was abandoned after one of their players was hit by a stone thrown from the crowd.
Thai tycoon pays reported €480m for a piece of AC Milan
By Andrew Warshaw
August 5 – Asian investors’ increasing involvement in snapping up Europe’s most glamorous clubs has taken another significant leap after AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi agreed to sell a 48% stake to Thai property tycoon Bee Taechaubol (pictured).