Ivanov returns to take top whistle blowers’ job in Russia
January 2 – Russian football has taken on former top FIFA official Valentin Ivanov to replace Italian Roberto Rosetti as head of its domestic refereeing department.
Europe
Spartak Moscow owner says new stadium to cost $426m
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
January 2 – Russian billionaire Leonid Fedun has announced that the new stadium currently being built for Spartak Moscow will cost 14 billion rubles ($426 million). Fedun told local news agency ITAR-TASS that Spartak is already receiving funds for the investment from its sponsor, Russian bank Otkritie, under a naming rights deal signed in February 2013.
Anelka’s Nazi ‘salute’ enrages fans and politicians worldwide
December 30 – Nazi salute or innocent gesture? Whichever it was, former French international Nicolas Anelka has caused uproar in both sporting and political circles for his unusual celebration after the first of his two goals for West Bromwich Albion during last weekend’s 3-3 Premier League draw at West Ham.
Platini sticks to his guns to free the game of ‘cheating, violence or injustice’
By Andrew Warshaw
December 30 – UEFA President Michel Platini admits some of his policies, not least financial fair play, have made himself and his organisation unpopular but that he will not waiver from his determination to put European football on a healthier path.
Malaysian Tan moves in on Bosnia’s Sarajevo while facing protests in Cardiff
By Andrew Warshaw
December 27 – Controversial Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan (pictured) has extended his European operation by agreeing to take over FK Sarajevo in Bosnia’s top division.
UEFA sanctions clubs over FFP rule breaking
December 23 – UEFA has enforced its Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules with sanctions of fines and exclusion from European competitions for five clubs and a reprimand for a sixth. The sanctions all relate to overdue payments and were handed down by the UEFA Club Financial Control Body’s adjudicatory chamber.
Balkanian Airways opts for Tours FC connection in France
By Alexander Krassimirov
December 23 – Bulgarian airline company Balkanian Airways has become one of the main sponsors of second tier French side Tours FC. The club and the company have signed a cooperation agreement. The Balkanian Airways logo has already put on the team’s shirts and stadium as well.
Schalke 04 extends sponsorship deal with Bet-at-home
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
December 23 – Schalke 04 has extended its sponsorship deal with betting operator Bet-at-home until 30 June 2016.
Switzerland in March for Ronaldo and Zidane Match Against Poverty
December 20 – The 11th Match Against Poverty will take place on 4 March 2014 at the Stade de Suisse in Berne, announced United Nations Development Project (UNDP) ambassadors Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane yesterday.
Barnet open doors to cross-sport ground share with London Broncos
December 20 – London’s only top level Rugby League side, London Broncos, have agreed a two-year ground share with Barnet Football Club, relegated last year to the Football Conference, England’s fifth tier of football.
Gattuso rubbishes accusations as Italian football rushes to his defence
By Andrew Warshaw
December 20 – Italian World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso has fiercely denied allegations of match-fixing saying he is “angry and offended” at any suggestion that might be involved in any operation.
Ekstraklasa teams up with Transparency to educate players on gambling risks
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
December 19 – Poland’s Ekstraklasa, the operator of the top tier of Polish professional football league, is aiming to educate young footballers on the risks related to gambling. The initiative, carried out by the Ekstraklasa Foundation, is launched in cooperation with Transparency International which also collaborates with six other European football leagues on similar programmes.
UEFA 2016 qualification format adds opportunity to small nations
By Andrew Warshaw
December 18 – Many of Europe’s less heralded countries will be given a greater chance than ever to qualify for the European Championship finals following a revolutionary new format unveiled by UEFA for 2016. Teams will be placed into nine groups of five and six teams, with both group winners and runners up qualifying automatically as well as the best third-placed side.
Olympiakos appeal UEFA sanction, claiming punishment does not fit crime
December 19 – Greek club Olympiakos Piraeus have appealed against the partial closure of their ground for their glamour Champions League last-16 tie with Manchester United, denying claims by UEFA that a section of their fans acted in a racist way in last week’s final group game.
Leonardo slams Platini for failing to see role of third-party ownership
By Paul Nicholson
December 19 – Brazilian, coach and former World Cup winner Leonardo has accused UEFA president Michel Platini of not knowing what he is talking about when it comes to the importance of third-party player ownership in South America, and that the 14 month ban he received in France at PSG for allegedly pushing a referee on the touchline “had a political logic to it”.