By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t the only Manchester United icon to retire from football. Former England captain David Beckham – arguably the most recognised and respected player of his generation – has now announced that he, too, is stepping down at the end of this season after a distinguished career spanning 20 years.
By Gareth Messenger
May 16 – With just three days notice, Granada city council have written to the LFP requesting that the La Liga match between Granada CF and Osasuna, scheduled for May 18, is switched to an alternative date.
By Andrew Warshaw in Amsterdam
May 16 – However fortuitous Chelsea were in their Europa League victory over Benfica on Wednesday night, behind the scenes tournament sponsors Western Union were celebrating their own special landmark. Commercial partners traditionally deliver all kinds of reasons, some more credible than others, for getting into bed with football to enhance their brand awareness. But sometimes a campaign looks such an obvious fit, it seems destined for immediate success.
By Gareth Messenger
May 15 – Arsenal are expected to receive a windfall of around £3million after Barcelona were officially revealed as the new champions of Spain.
By Mark Baber
May 15 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the award of a 3-0 win to Dynamo Moscow, imposed by the Football Union of Russia (FUR), after the game between Dynamo and Zenit was abandoned after Dynamo’s goalkeeper was hit by a flare thrown by Zenit fans. The panel also rejected Zenit’s requests to sanction Dynamo Moscow.
By Paul Nicholson
May 15 – The value of kit deals in the English Premier League has jumped a massive 32%, while the cost of a replica shirt in England has risen 8.3% but is still the lowest priced on average in comparison to Europe’s other major leagues, according to a report released today.
By Paul Nicholson
May 15 – The battle for premium broadcast football rights continues in the UK with ITV picking up the rights to England Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup qualifying competitions.
By Monica Villar
May 14 – Calls for an overhaul of the Spanish refereeing system are becoming louder. Spanish referees have come under fire as the season comes to a close and poor decisions potentially mean life or death in the race to survive in la Liga’s top division.
May 14 – Three-quarters of European football fans interviewed in a new survey want the option to stand while watching games.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 14 – Italian authorities have wasted no time punishing Roma for the racist chanting of their fans by slapping them with a €50,000 fine – but nothing stronger.
By Paul Nicholson
May 14 – After a two-year wait, the Italian Antitrust Authority (AGCM) has finally ruled in favour of Sky Italia that there is no evidence the broadcaster abused its dominant position in its acquisition of Champions League TV rights (2012-15) and FIFA World Cup rights for 2010 and 2014.
By Mark Baber
May 13 – FTBpro has raised $5.8 million from Israeli investors, Battery Ventures and Gemini Israel Ventures to expand its “fan-generated” content offering into new markets.
By Monica Villar
May 13 – UEFA President Michel Platini has suggested that the time has come to record conversations between referees during Champions League matches. He spoke during a visit to Lille in preparation for the 2016 European championship.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 13 – Despite a recent crackdown on racism by football’s governing bodies, Sunday’s high-profile Serie A clash between AC Milan and Roma was halted because of abusive chanting by fans. Play was stopped by the referee for about two minutes at the start of the second half after chants were aimed at Milan’s black players from visiting Roma fans.
By Monica Villar
May 10 – Sevilla president José María del Nido has again spoken out against the LFP, blaming the league for creating the economic difficulties Spanish clubs now face.