Infantino calls for winter world cups, not just in Qatar
By Andrew Warshaw
June 9 – The UEFA hierarchy has once again caused a potential stir with Europe’s major leagues by endorsing the idea of winter World Cups – and not just in Qatar.
Europe
Barça peace match scrapped but Peace Tour to go ahead
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
June 7 – Plans by Barcelona to stage a symbolic exhibition match against a joint Israeli-Palestinian team to try and heal the wounds between the two sides and promote Middle East peace have been ditched after no agreement could be reached between the various parties.
Italians put Bari under scrutiny as another 33 named in match-fixing scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
June 7 – The latest round of match-fixing allegations in Italian football has implicated 33 players and officials associated with Bari in 2008 and 2009.
Dutch pick Hawk-Eye for GLT trial and examine use of video refs
By Andrew Warshaw
June 7 – The Netherlands has become the latest top-flight country to embrace goalline technology despite UEFA President Michel Platini’s insistence that it will never be used in UEFA competitions.
Valencia appoint third President in three months, but Salvo promises unity
By Gareth Messenger
June 7 – Amadeo Salvo has been elected as the new president of Valencia CF replacing Vicente Andreu who resigned after just two in months as acting President. He was filling in for Manuel Llorente who had resigned after a row with the city council.
Controversy over Barca’s Neymar payments as DIS calls foul play
By Mark Baber
June 6 – A row has broken out over the fees paid to rights holders in the transfer of Neymar from Santos to Barcelona.
Social media powers record U21 Euros ticket sales
By Paul Nicholson
June 6 – The UEFA U21 Championship kicked off in Israel last night with two opening matches played in front of full stadiums.
Debt crisis deepens for Zaragoza, Depor and Mallorca as relegation adds to woes
By Gareth Messenger
June 6 – Real Zaragoza, Deportivo La Coruna and Real Mallorca face further financial meltdown after their relegation from Spain’s Primera Division last weekend.
Indonesian Thohir tight-lipped over progress of Inter Milan purchase
By Mark Baber
June 5 – Indonesian billionaire Erick Thohir, touted to take over FC Internazionale from Massimo Moratti (pictured), was reluctant to comment on the negotiations – but did let drop the process would probably be completed “within 1-2 months”.
Pitch battle prompts Manchester United to switch to new surface
By Tom Parsons
June 5 – Manchester United have begun work on their Old Trafford pitch after plans were announced to adopt a part-synthetic playing surface at the home of the 2012/13 Premier League champions.
PSG extends Qatar National Bank sponsorship for new 3-year term
June 5 – Qatar National Bank has agreed a three-year extension of its sponsorship deal with Paris Saint-Germain from next season, further strengthening the French champions’ new-found status as one of Europe’s richest and biggest-spending clubs.
Malaga hopeful CAS will overturn UEFA ban and allow them into Europa League
By Gareth Messenger
June 5 – Malaga director general Vicente Casado is confident that the club did enough to convince the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that UEFA must overturn their ban from European competition next season.
Neymar signs for new rights specialists Doyen Group
June 4 – Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr’s management company, NR Sports, has agreed an image rights deal with the newly established Doyen Group until 2017 following the player’s move from Santos to Barcelona.
Belles appeal ‘relegation’ for non-sporting reasons amid a storm of protest
By Mark Baber
June 3 – Leading English women’s team Doncaster Belles are appealing the decision to place them in FA Women’s Super League 2 (FA WSL 2) from next season, amidst a growing storm of protest over the allocation of licences in the FA Women’s Super League.
LFP elects Villaverde and Martin as vice presidents for two year terms
By Gareth Messenger
June 3 – Atletico Madrid director Clemente Villaverde and CEO of Numancia, Victor Manuel Martin, have been elected as the first and second vice presidents, respectively, of Spain’s Liga de Fútbol Profesional (LFP) for two year terms.