Former Czech FA boss Pelta jailed for fraudulent use of government sports subsidies
November 29 – A Czech court has sentenced a former head of the country’s FA to six and years in jail for fraud.
Europe
Police raid Juve offices in probe into suspected transfer fraud
November 29 – The offices of Juventus, Italy’s most successful club, were raided by police last Friday amid an investigation into transfer dealings between 2019 and 2021.
The iron fist of democracy. English football heads towards government-imposed regulator
November 25 – English football has taken a step closer to being regulated by a government-backed but independent overseer whose powers could include taking control of failing clubs from their owners.
Benzema found guilty of sex-tape blackmail and handed 1-year suspended jail term
November 25 – France and Real Madrid star striker Karim Benzema (pictured) has been found guilty of conspiring to blackmail a fellow French footballer with a sex tape. He has been sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term and fined.
European Parliament looks to nail breakaway European Super League coffin shut
By Andrew Warshaw
November 25 – The European Parliament has voted to oppose breakaway sports competitions following football’s aborted Super League project that collapsed within just 48 hours of its launch in April amidst a backlash from fans and governments.
Sports minister warns crowd violence is threatening ‘survival’ of French football
November 24 – France’s sports minister Roxana Maracineanu (pictured) says repeated crowd trouble at Ligue 1 matches is putting the very survival of French football at risk.
Bayern threaten wage cuts for unvaccinated as Covid spike forces partial stadium closure
November 22 – The Europe-wide protests against new Covid restrictions have spilled over into football with Bayern Munich reportedly having informed their unvaccinated players that they will have their salaries cut during periods when they have to go into quarantine.
Lyon-Marseille game abandoned after Payet hit by bottle
November 22 – Despite attempts by French football authorities to crack down on fan violence, yet another damaging incident hit the country’s top-flight league on Sunday when the Lyon-Marseille fixture was abandoned after Marseille forward Dimitri Payet was hit by a bottle thrown from the stands a few minutes after kick off.
The long goodbye: Man Utd end the wait and fire Solskjaer. Poch up next?
November 22 – Even managers with legendary status are not immune from being sacked when they fail to progress or deliver silverware.
UEFA cuts Hungary fan ban to one match
November 19 – Hungary’s punishment for offensive fan misconduct during Euros 2020 has been reduced by UEFA.
Van Bronckhorst returns to Rangers to take over where Gerrard left off
November 18 – Giovanni van Bronckhorst says he feels “so lucky” after being confirmed as the new manager of Rangers.
Marseilles escape with one match fan ban after pitch invasions and disorder at PSG game
November 17 – French football authorities have ordered Marseille to play one home match behind closed doors as a result of crowd trouble in last month’s game against bitter rivals Paris St. Germain.
Hammered: West Ham fans banned from Europa League travel by UEFA
November 16 – Fans of English Premier League club West Ham United have been banned by UEFA from attending their Europa League clash away to Rapid Vienna following crowd trouble during a previous fixture at Genk earlier this month.
Qatar 2022: Italy stumble into play-offs, big wins for Swiss and English see them qualify
November 16 – Just four months after winning the delayed Euro 2020, Italy have missed out on an automatic place at the World Cup finals and will have to rely on the playoffs to get them to Qatar.
Sala flight organiser jailed for 18 months
November 16 – Businessman David Henderson, who organised the flight that led to the deaths of footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson, has been handed an 18-month jail sentence.