Spanish taxman lines up €50m payout from La Liga superstars
By Alex O’Loughlin
August 26 – The Spanish tax authorities will collect almost €50 million from star trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar for the 2013-14 tax year.
Europe
Barca are first sports team to hit a million YouTube subs
By Alex O’Loughlin
August 23 – Barcelona have become the first football club in the world to boast more than a million YouTube subscribers to its channel.
UEFA hands out life bans to Armenian refs for match-fixing attempt
By Mark Baber
August 23 – Armenian referee Andranik Arsenyan and assistant Hovhannes Avagyan have been handed life bans by UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body (CDB) after admitting attempting to manipulate the outcome of a Europa League match.
On-Off Bale saga now looks set to smash world record transfer fee
By Andrew Warshaw
August 23 – The world record fee for a footballer looks set to be smashed in the next few days when Tottenham Hotspur’s exciting Welshman Gareth Bale is finally sold to Real Madrid after a long-drawn-out transfer saga.
English FA rings more change as Pearce exits and Southgate returns
August 23 – The future of English football at under-21 level and below has been placed in the hands of Gareth Southgate who is heading back to the Football Association in succession to Stuart Pearce, who left in June after a disappointing group stage exit at the European under-21 finals in Israel.
FA celebrates old rule book, Dyke still wants new thinking on Winter 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
August 22 – English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has again reiterated his preference for a winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Dyke, who succeeded David Bernstein earlier this summer, has already clashed with the Premier League which is leading the campaign to keep the tournament in June and July.
Belgian TV pig jibe upsets player and forces presenter to apologise
August 22 – An unusual case of discrimination has emerged in Belgium where a top-division player has demanded a public apology and damages following remarks from a television commentator.
FIFPro warns players to keep clear of Greek, Turkish and Cypriot clubs
By Andrew Warshaw
August 22 – With the transfer window slamming shut on September 2, the international players’ union FIFPro is urging its members to look elsewhere rather than sign for teams in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus because of those countries’ poor record in honouring contracts.
Beşiktaş and Vodafone sign Turkey’s biggest ever sponsorship
By Mark Baber
August 21 – Beşiktaş has signed a $145 million deal with Vodafone, the club revealed in a statement on the Turkish Stock Exchange. The deal, including shirt sponsorship and sponsorship of the new Beşiktaş stadium which will be named the ‘Vodafone Arena’, is a timely one for the Istanbul club who have debt of about €100 million.
Powell axed by English FA as women’s revamp continues
By Andrew Warshaw
August 21 – Hope Powell, one of the most recognisable faces in women’s football, has been sacked after 15 years as manager of the England national team following the country’s group stage exit at Euro 2013 last month.
Valencia audit find debt has been cut and ‘positive’ signs
By Jake Gable
August 20 – Valencia have revealed that the club’s debt now stands at €275.7 million (£235.1 million) after a due diligence report by consultancy firm KPMG. Club president Amadeo Salvo explained that the Spanish club’s debt has reduced by €66 million (£56.3 million) since 2008 and described the economic management as “positive”, however there are still general concerns for the state of financial health for many La Liga clubs, especially under new FFP (Financial Fair Play) rules and regulations set out by governing body UEFA.
Russian anti-corruption campaign has implications in the West
By Mark Baber
August 20 – Any Russian politician or official caught with a foreign bank account will be forced to resign or sacked according to a new law which came into force on Monday. The law was passed by the Duma three months ago and has already led to the resignation of Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich from his position as chairman of the local parliament in Chukotka.
Lazio forced to close stand after ‘Ultras’ continue racist agenda
By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – Blighted for months by a series of match-fixing and racism cases, Lazio, one of Rome’s two iconic clubs, shows no sign of improving its image following yet another punishment for discrimination by its fans.
Germans act fast after 1860 Munich fans’ racist chanting
By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – German football authorities have begun a probe into a rare case of racism after abuse was directed at Under-21 international Danny da Costa by fans of 1860 Munich during a second division game on Sunday. The club have already issued an apology to da Costa who plays for FC Ingolstadt, with sports director Florian Hinterberger telling German television the incident was “extremely regrettable”.
Betting scandals hit Brits with Scot charged and English exec sanctioned
By Andrew Warshaw
August 20 – British football has been rocked by two separate cases of illegal betting, one involving a Scottish international, the other the managing director of fourth-tier club, as the outlawed practise is one again brought into sharp focus.