Mauri wins match-fixing appeal and set for February return
January 13 – Lazio and Italy midfielder Stefano Mauri will be back in action on February 2 after his nine-month ban for failing to report match-fixing was reduced on appeal.
Europe
Barcelona questioned over Neymar transfer and ‘unexplained’ €40m
January 13 – Barcelona’s signing of Brazilian forward Neymar last June has attracted intense attention from the Spanish courts following a complaint by Barcelona club member Jordi Cases, who wants clarification of how the €57.1 million fee was distributed.
‘Quenelle’ comic banned from taking stage in France
By Andrew Warshaw
January 10 – The controversial French comic whose alleged Nazi-style gesture was copied by former French international Nicolas Anelka, prompting a global outcry by anti-racist groups, was banned from performing this week by the highest court in France – just before he was about to go on stage.
Poland’s Kolporter chief returns to Korona Kielce as €2.4m stadium sponsor
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
January 10 – Poland’s Korona Kielce has signed a sponsorship deal with Kolporter, one of the country’s largest press distribution companies. Under the contract, which will be effective “until at least end of June 2018”, the club’s stadium will be renamed Kolporter Arena.
Dutch club in hot water over ban on Israeli defender
By Andrew Warshaw
January 9- A top-flight Dutch club is at the centre of a diplomatic storm after going ahead with a winter-break warm weather trip to the United Arab Emirates despite an Israeli defender on its books being refused permission to enter the country.
Leeds and Charlton get new owners, while Bolton’s losses sky rocket
By Paul Nicholson
January 8 – English Championship club Leeds United is about to change ownership – again. Currently majority-owned by GFH Capital, a new consortium fronted by the club’s managing director David Haigh and Andrew Flowers, the managing director of the club’s main sponsor Enterprise Insurance, are poised to get shareholder control.
Johnson steps down from English FA’s ‘inclusion’ board over gay comments
January 8 – A former professional footballer has stepped down from a key English pro-equality panel following criticism over comments he made last year describing homosexuality as “detestable”.
Walcott out as England’s World Cup campaign suffers first injury blow
January 7 – When the draw was made for next summer’s World Cup finals, England manager Roy Hodgson said his team’s chances might well partly depend on how many players were missing through injury.
Cup half full as English crowds take a break from league action
By Paul Nicholson
January 6 – English football turned its attention away from league matches to the venerable FA Cup and its third round last weekend. But it seems there is a lack of respect for age amongst the fans as well as some of the Premier League managers.
Football pays tribute to Portuguese and African legend Eusebio
By Andrew Warshaw
January 6 – Tributes continue to pour in from across the world following the death of Eusebio, the darling of Portuguese football who will for ever be remembered as one of the game’s true greats as well as true gentlemen. Top scorer at the 1966 World Cup, Eusebio died Sunday of a heart attack at the age of 71 with Portugal declaring three days of national mourning for their “eternal symbol”
Czech Gambrinus Liga reports mid-season attendances up
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
January 6 – Czech Republic’s Gambrinus Liga has posted improved attendance results for the 2013/2014 mid-season. After fifteen rounds, the average match attendance was 5,062 spectators, up 10.5% from 4,584 spectators in the same period a year earlier.
Barca top Facebook fan league breaking the 50m mark
January 3 – The debate over which club is the biggest in the world and what actually constitutes the word “biggest” – success on the field, stadium size or fan base – is one that never ceases to prompt detailed analysis. Real Madrid? Manchester United? Barcelona?
Bernstein honoured but no New Year knighthood for ‘King David’
January 2 – Reports that David Beckham could receive a knighthood proved completely unfounded when the former England captain and global footballing icon was omitted from the traditional New Year royal awards list.
Anelka’s defense fails to quell raging racism debate in France and beyond
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – The ‘quennelle’ Nazi sign made by former French international striker Nicolas Anelka has prompted fierce reaction in both sporting and political circles that is showing no sign of abating – even though the player has promised not to repeat it.
EC calls in Swansea’s Liberty Stadium funding for closer scrutiny
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – The joint use of the Liberty stadium in Swansea, built at a cost of £27 million, is the latest case being investigated by the European Commission as part of a widescale probe into state aid in sport. Officials have asked the local council to supply funding details of a deal which has enabled Swansea City and rugby club Ospreys to play there since 2005.