UEFA put damper on Man City fireworks
April 15 – Manchester City have been charged by UEFA after fireworks were set off during their 1-0 Champions League quarter-final, second-leg win over Paris St Germain on Tuesday night.
Europe
French drop Benzema for being too hot to handle over sex tape scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
April 14 – Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has finally learned that he will not be selected for France at this summer’s Euros after months of claim and counter-claim over his role in an alleged sex tape blackmail case that has overshadowed his international record on the field.
Greeks avoid suspension after cup given go-ahead
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – The threat of an international ban on Greek football has been lifted after the government and the Greek FA (EPO) reached an 11th-hour agreement with FIFA to restart the domestic cup competition.
England need to find more young Lions to roar or France will devour them
April 12 – If the basis for international success is in the number of young players coaches can pick from their domestic leagues then England, who currently have the youngest national ‘A’ team in Europe, need to be worried about what happens next. France on the other hand has a very bright future.
PSG will need €190m to meet Neymar’s buyout clause, and €50m+ for wages
By Samindra Kunti
April 12 – FC Barcelona’s Brazilian superstar Neymar, who has had assets seized in Brazil as part of a tax fraud case and whose transfer to Spain was one of the most controversial deals in world football, has had details of his contract released showing he receives a guaranteed salary of €45.9 million with his five-year contract at Barca. His buy-out clause is a massive €190 million.
Infantino says Ecuadorian TV deal was not corrupt but reporting has been a ‘disgrace’
By Andrew Warshaw
April 11 – Gianni Infantino has issued his most stinging rebuttal to date of any wrongdoing in the Panama Papers affair. The new FIFA president describes the way his involvement has been reported as a “disgrace”.
Florence names streets after Borgonovo and Segato
By Bernd Fisa
April 11 – Florence, Italy celebrated the lives and achievements of Stefano Borgonovo and Armando Segato, last weekend. Both men were former strikers for Fiorentina and Italy’s La Squadra Azzura, who lost their battle with neurological disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Mourinho waiting for right club before getting back in the ring
April 11 – Fans eager to know what the future holds for Portugal’s famed former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho will have to wait a bit longer.
Dutch agents earn €9.5m from their players
By Samindra Kunti
April 8 – In the past year Dutch football agents and intermediaries pocketed €9.5 million from professional clubs for their transfer and player contract services, according to the Dutch FA, the KNVB.
Former Leeds boss claims he was abused in Dubai prison
April 8 – A British businessman who was managing director of iconic English club Leeds United has alleged he was mistreated and physically abused whilst detained in Dubai for almost two years.
Greek government takes on FIFA saying HFF must ‘purify’ its administration
By Matt Scott
April 7 – Greek government officials ordering the Hellenic Football Federation to reform over corruption and crowd trouble have issued a defiant statement in response to FIFA’s threat to ban Greece from international competitions.
Swiss police raid UEFA offices as Cross Trading probe deepens
By Andrew Warshaw
April 7 – Despite vehemently insisting it acted in good faith over the sale of Champions League rights to an offshore company after being caught up in the Panama Papers tax haven affair, UEFA had its offices raided on Wednesday by Swiss police searching for evidence of any possible wrongdoing.
Anatomy of a cosy Ecuadorian TV deal that reverberated to the top of FIFA
By Paul Nicholson
April 6 – UEFA and its marketing agency TEAM have laid bare the anatomy of the Ecuadorian TV deal that has dragged FIFA president Gianni Infantino into the Panama Papers scandal as the signatory on the contract for Champions League TV rights in 2006.
Rangers secure return to SPL to everyone’s financial relief
April 6 – After sinking to the depths of despair as a result of years of financial mismanagement, Glasgow Rangers, one of the iconic names in British football, have regained their top-flight Scottish league status amid scenes of unbridled celebration.
China’s Suning Commerce eyes a European berth with Inter Milan stake
April 6 – Inter Milan could soon have a new Chinese member of their ownership group according to reports in Italy. Suning Commerce Group, which recently bought Chinese Super League side Jiangsu, is looking at European expansion with a 20% stake in the Serie A club.