UEFA complain lawmaker’s ‘triple’ bypass takes heart out the game
March 13 – UEFA have re-ignited their attack on football’s lawmakers for making what they say is entirely the wrong call over how to solve the triple punishment rule.
World Football
Belarusian crisis pushes Dinamo Brest players to plead for government help
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
March 13 – Desperate players at Belarus’ FC Dinamo Brest have taken the unusual step of writing to state authorities pleading for them to pay their unpaid wages. Belarus’ top clubs are struggling to stay afloat financially and for the Dinamo Brest player, the crisis has reached breaking point.
Germans at war: Niersbach victory as he is cleared of Zwanziger complaint
March 13 – Theo Zwanziger’s imminent departure from the high echelons of FIFA is getting messier still. The former head of German football, who is stepping down from FIFA’s executive committee in May, has been using every opportunity to denounce the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar as well as having a go at Wolfgang Niersbach, his successor at the German FA and soon at FIFA too.
Paper pushers take over Brasilia’s Garrincha stadium; Romario complains
By Samindra Kunti
March 13 – The Brazilian government has announced that three government secretariats will take office at the Mane Garrincha stadium. Once more, Senator Romario criticized the high costs for the renovation of the stadium.
Gambian league fuelled by renewable energy sponsor
By Mark Baber
March 13 -The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) and renewable energy company, First Eco Partners, held a ceremony the Football House in Kanifing to celebrate the signing of three-year sponsorship deal for the GFF first division league, reportedly worth D3m (£47,000) which was first announced in January.
Bhutan and East Timor take giant killing strides in World Cup qualifiers
March 13 – Bhutan, the world’s worst international team according to FIFA rankings, defied their lowly status by securing a shock 1-0 win over Sri Lanka in their World Cup qualifying debut as the Asian zone kicked off for places in Russia in 2018.
Belgian plan to cut pro club numbers sparks fury from lower leagues
March 13 – The Belgian Pro League, the country’s second tier, has approved a structural reform of its domestic club football. In the future there must be a strict division between professional and amateur football, according to the Pro League, with the number of professional teams being cut.
Philadelphia strikes Gold with hosting of finals weekend
March 13 – The final and third-placed play-off for this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup will be played in Philadelphia. The tournament kicks off July 7 in Dallas and travels through 12 North American cities before reaching Philadelphia for the finals weekend on July 25-26.
Barcelona partners with IMG to break down the great walls of China
By Mark Baber
March 12 – FC Barcelona is making a push in the Chinese market via a new strategic partnership with IMG. The club will be represented in China in the areas of marketing and branding strategy, sponsorships, friendly matches and travel.
Government puts a further €1m into Ludogorets Arena refurb
By Alexander Krassimirov
March 12 – Bulgaria’s Ludogorets Razgrad is to receive another BGN 2 million (€1 million) from government to modernization the Ludogorets Arena stadium in Razgrad.
Swiss FC Sion toasts new sponsorship deal with Alloboissons
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
March 12 – Swiss club FC Sion has inked a sponsorship deal with local drinks maker and distributor Alloboissons. The company will serve as the main sponsor of the side for three-and-a-half years.
Belgian league ponders own TV channel launch
By Samindra Kunti
March 12 – The Belgian Jupiler Pro League may team up with MP & Silva and Screen Capital International to create its own private TV channel.
Greek drama: Athens derby abandoned after AEK fans invade pitch
March 12 – Greek football has been plunged into yet more disgrace after a cup quarterfinal between league leaders Olympiakos and second division AEK was abandoned after a last-minute Olympiakos goal sparked crowd violence.
Hillsborough police chief apologises for lying 26 years after 96 die
March 12 – The police commander in charge during the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster at which 96 Liverpool fans died says he will regret lying about the tragedy until his dying day.
Nigerian FA on the spot as government demands detail of where FIFA cash went
Mark Baber
March 11 – Whilst the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) worries that its 2015 government grant of N1.2 billion ($60 million) is insufficient, its belated appearance before parliament on Tuesday proved a disaster as the Sports Committee insisted the federation provide full disclosure of its accounts – including how money from FIFA and sponsors has been spent.