Italian football is in serious trouble, warns Juventus President Agnelli
By Andrew Warshaw
October 31 – Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has told shareholders that Italian football is in serious trouble and needs to take urgent action.
Europe
Serbian police issue criminal charges following England match
By Andrew Warshaw
October 31 – Serbian police have filed criminal charges against 12 players, fans and officials, including three from England, following last month’s explosive European under-21 playoff encounter that was marred by allegations of racism and a post-match melee.
PAOK forced to play three matches behind closed doors after riot
By Andrew Warshaw
October 30 – Greek club PAOK Salonika have been ordered to play their next three European home games behind closed doors after losing an appeal against sanctions imposed by UEFA following a riot in August.
Nokia India strikes deal with Barcelona
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – In the first sponsorship arrangement of its kind, Barcelona have joined forces with Nokia India, a landmark breakthrough for a country traditionally more associated with cricket than football.
Berlusconi’s jail sentence mounts further pressure on AC Milan
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – The conviction and jail sentence of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud has heaped further pressure on AC Milan, which the 76-year-old media mogul has owned for 26 years.
Polish Sports Minister keeps job despite offering resignation over “roofgate”
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – Polish Sports Minister Joanna Mucha is keeping her job despite offering her resignation over the embarrassing postponement of the recent FIFA World Cup qualifier with England.
Napoli hit with latest match-fixing allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – Serie A club Napoli have been charged by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in the latest dramatic development in the country’s long-running match-fixing saga.
Two Serbian players suspended following under-21 England brawl
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Serbian footballing authorities have taken pre-emptive action by suspending two of their own players as a result of the ugly scenes that followed the recent under-21 defeat by England.
Spain’s Cardenal meets Platini to oppose Gibraltar’s membership
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Spanish authorities are stepping up their opposition to UEFA’s controversial decision to allow Gibraltar provisional membership status.
Shirt sponsorship in Europe reaches record high
By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – Despite the economic downturn and the squeeze on spending, Europe’s top leagues have collectively broken through the €500 million (£333 million/$650 million) barrier for shirt sponsorship, representing a seven per cent increase, according to Sport+Markt’s latest European Football Jersey Report.
Platini slams “disgraceful” scenes in Serbia
By Andrew Warshaw
October 24 – UEFA President Michel Platini has written back to British Sports Minister Hugh Robertson to express his dismay at the “disgraceful” scenes that followed England’s under-21 win in Serbia last week.
FA considers heavier punishment for racism cases
By Andrew Warshaw
October 24 – The English Football Association (FA) is considering heavier sanctions for racial abuse in the wake of the John Terry-Anton Ferdinand case, according to FA chairman David Bernstein.
UEFA and FARE kick off anti-racism week
By Andrew Warshaw
October 23 – This week’s Champions League and Europa League games will showcase activities organised by UEFA and its partner Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) to transmit the message that racism has no place in football.
Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven on loan to fans
By Andrew Warshaw
October 23 – One of the most unique partnerships between a club and its fans has been launched in the Netherlands with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven effectively going on loan to supporters as part of its commercial shirt deal with online credit company Freo.
Ex-FA boss Lord Triesman faced antisemitic abuse over Terry comments
By Andrew Warshaw
October 23 – Former English Football Association (FA) chairman Lord Triesman has revealed he received a barrage of antisemitic messages in the aftermath of the John Terry racism case.