FIFA extends worldwide match-fixing sanctions
By Andrew Warshaw
June 19 – FIFA today extended worldwide a series of sanctions meted out to 13 individuals from South Korea and Croatia related to match-fixing.
World Football
SPL clubs to decide fate of new Rangers
By Andrew Warshaw
June 19 – Scottish Premier League (SPL) clubs will vote on Wednesday, July 4 on whether to admit Glasgow giants Rangers into the top flight of domestic football under their new guise.
New owner does not have backing of Rangers fans, warns Walter Smith consortium
By Duncan Mackay
June 15 – An unsuccessful last-minute attempt by former manager Walter Smith to buy Rangers is hampering new owner Charles Green’s attempts to win over the supporters at Ibrox, he has admitted.
Pasha Insurance signs up as National Supporter of 2012 under-17 Women’s World Cup
By Tom Degun
June 15 – Pasha Insurance has signed a deal with Azerbaijan 2012 for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup to become a National Supporter of the prestigious event which will see 16 teams battle it out for ultimate glory.
Tributes flood in as former Syrian football boss is assassinated
By Andrew Warshaw
June 14 – Tributes poured in today for former Syrian Football Association (SFA) head Marwan Arafat who was shot dead as the country’s bloody conflict claimed its first reported prominent sports official.
Remove Israel as Under-21 European Championship host, demands Palestine
By Andrew Warshaw in Warsaw
June 14 – Palestinian football officials have called on UEFA to strip Israel of hosting the 2013 European Under-21 Championship over Palestine national team players being detained without trial.
Rangers condemned to liquidation after creditors’ deal is rejected
By Andrew Warshaw
June 12 – Crisis-torn Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers, one of the most iconic names in European football, seem certain to go out of business in their current guise after tax authorities rejected an offer to buy the ailing club by a consortium headed by former Sheffield United supremo Charles Green.
Sportfive reach agreement with SABC to screen Bafana matches
By Andrew Warshaw
June 12 – The French sports marketing rights company Sportfive has signed a 28 million rand (£2.1 million/$3.3 million/€2.7 million) three-deal deal with South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to screen South Africa’s competitive away qualifiers until 2015.
Nigeria’s Christian Obodo released unhurt by kidnappers
By Andrew Warshaw
June 12 – Nigerian police have freed Italy-based international Christian Obodo unhurt a day after gunmen kidnapped the midfielder and demanded a ransom.
China signs multi-million yuan deal with Hyundai to boost Russia 2018 World Cup campaign
By Duncan Mackay
June 11 – Hyundai have announced a major partnership with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) becoming the sport’s biggest sponsor in the country.
Paris St Germain to stay at Parc de Princes
By David Gold
June 9 – Paris St Germain will be staying at the Parc des Princes for “the long term”, Paris City Council have said.
UEFA confirms racist chanting at Dutch training session in Poland
By Andrew Warshaw
June 8 – UEFA today confirmed there were “isolated incidents of racist chanting” aimed at Netherlands players during a pre-European Championship open training session in Kraków yesterday and reiterated its stance against all forms of discrimination.
Top football scandal buster to quit UEFA after Euro 2012
By Andrew Warshaw
June 7 – The UEFA lawyer charged with eradicating the growing scourge of match fixing in Europe is to quit after the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.
Qatar’s Aspire Zone Foundation takes over Belgian side KAS Eupen
By Andrew Warshaw
June 7 – The increasing involvement of Qatar in European club football has taken another significant step forward with the takeover by the country’s Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) – one of the world’s most sophisticated sports facilities – of Belgian Second Division club KAS Eupen.
Manuel Preciado dies just 24 hours after accepting Villarreal coach job
By David Gold
June 7 – Spanish coach Manuel Preciado (pictured) has died of a heart attack at the age of 54, just after agreeing a deal to take over at relegated Villarreal next season.