Nimes boss quits over matchfixing claims

nimes-une-belle-endormie 874894 510x255

November 24 – The president of French League 2 club Nimes has quit following allegations of matchfixing in the latest scandal to rock French football. Jean-Marc Conrad, who has led the ‘Crocodiles’ since April, is under formal investigation along with Caen chairman Jean-Francois Fortin and four others on suspicion of fixing the result of a fixture between their clubs.

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Italians to limit foreign players in Serie A squads

Serie A

By Mark Baber
November 21 – Following the election of Carlo Tavecchio, who came to power using racist rhetoric which has earned him a six-month UEFA ban, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has acted to implement his core election agenda item, passing new regulations limiting the number of foreign players in Italy, especially those from countries outside the EU.

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Apollon Limassol lines up new €17m stadium

Apollon Limassol

By Jaroslaw Adamowski
November 19 – Nicos Kyrzis, the chairman of Cypriot club Apollon Limassol on the Greek side of the partitioned island, has unveiled plans to build a new stadium with a capacity of 12,000. Under the scheme, the cost of the build will be up to €17 million.

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Czech FA chief sets up succession plan for Baumit Jablonec

Miroslav Pelta

By Jaroslaw Adamowski
November 21 – Czech businessman Miroslav Pelta has said he plans to hand over control of top tier club FK Baumit Jablonec, in which he holds a 80% stake, to a new investor. The sale could also solve a potential conflict of interest for the Pelta, who is also the president of the Czech football association FACR.

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The Marseilles Connection: detectives swoop on OM kingpins

Gignac

By Mark Baber
November 19 – In a throwback to the Bernard Tapie scandals of the 1990s, French police swooped in on the leading lights of Olympique Marseille (OM) on Tuesday morning, arresting club president Vincent Labrun and general manager Philip Perez at their homes in Saint-Remy de Provence and Marseille and questioning them over potential corruption and kick backs involving multi-million Euro transfer deals.

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Racism row over Roma team in Czech Republic

FC Decin racism poster

By Mark Baber
November 13 – The issue of a Roma football club based in Decin in the Czech Republic, whom five league opponents have refused to play, has highlighted the racism and discrimination faced by the Roma communities in Eastern Europe and illustrates the obstacles football administrators need to overcome to ensure equal access and opportunities for all.

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