Pelé’s Santos celebrates centenary with exhibition games
By David Gold
April 16 – Santos is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series of commemorative matches between players of past and present, including the legendary Pelé.
World Football
FIFA President Sepp Blatter brought to tears over death of Piermario Morosini
By Andrew Warshaw
April 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he cried at learning of the tragic death of 25-year-old Italian midfielder Piermario Morosini during a Serie B match at the weekend.
Goal-line technology to enter final testing phase following latest refereeing gaffe
By Andrew Warshaw
April 16 – The final phase of testing for goal-line technology will begin by the end of April, according to FIFA, following yet another blatant and ultimately decisive injustice on the field of play.
Football world shaken as Italy’s Piermario Morosini suffers fatal heart attack on pitch
By David Gold
April 15 – Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini (pictured) has died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Serie B game with Pescara.
Racist abuse allegations from French cup tie spark calls for inquiry
By David Gold
April 15 – The France-based International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA) has demanded an immediate inquiry into allegations that racist abuse was aimed at Lyon striker Bafétimbi Gomis during a cup tie in Corsica.
Barcelona’s Éric Abidal “recovering well” after liver transplant
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Barcelona’s international French defender Éric Abidal, who had a lengthy liver transplant on Tuesday (April 10), is recovering well from the operation according to the club.
Land dispute causes UAE to cancel Iran friendly
By David Gold
April 14 – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has cancelled a friendly match, scheduled originally for Tuesday (April 17), with Iran after the Islamic Republic’s hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited an island which both countries believe they own.
UEFA’s Platini hands Europa League trophy to Bucharest
By David Gold
April 13 – UEFA President Michel Platini has handed over the Europa League trophy to the Mayor of Bucharest, the host city for the final of the competition, which takes place in just under a month’s time.
SPL debt sanctions halt sale offers for beleaguered Rangers
By Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – A potential new buyer for beleaguered Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers has been delayed because of a string of draconian proposals to heavily penalise clubs who fall into debt.
Kirin Cup won by Japan’s iron ladies
By David Gold
April 12 – World champions Japan (pictured in blue) have laid down a marker for the London 2012 women’s football tournament with a 4-1 win over Brazil (pictured in yellow) to lift the Kirin Cup in Kobe.
Zenit escape with pitiful fine for fans’ racist chant violation
By David Gold
April 11 – Zenit St Petersburg have been fined 100,000 rubles ($3,400/€2,600) after their fans (pictured left) were found guilty of racist chanting during a victory against Lokomotiv Moscow last week.
European football mourns Gérard Enault
By David Gold
April 11 – Gérard Enault, the former head of the French Football Federation (FFF) and the head of the bidding committee for France’s successful hosting of the 1998 World Cup, has died.
Exclusive: Europe’s top clubs plan to self-regulate over disputes
By Andrew Warshaw
April 11 – Football disputes, such as late transfer payments, could in future be fast-tracked by clubs themselves rather than be dealt with by FIFA or the sporting courts.
Newcastle Jets licence withdrawal serves fresh blow to Aussie A-League
By David Gold
April 10 – The Australian Football Federation (FFA) has been plunged into a new crisis after the billionaire owner of Newcastle Jets, Nathan Tinkler, decided to return his licence to operate the team in the A-League, citing an untenable relationship with the country’s governing body.
Olympique Marseille fans urge club to lose to spite Paris St. Germain
By Andrew Warshaw
April 10 – The biggest supporters group aligned to French club Olympique Marseille has taken the unusual step of urging their team to lose to title challengers Montpellier tomorrow – in order to stop Paris St. Germain (PSG) from clinching the trophy.