Platini demands EU protection
By Andrew Warshaw
September 25 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured right) wants the European Union to protect his organisation against civil court cases brought by clubs in the wake of the FC Sion affair.
World Football
Platini ordered to give evidence to Swiss court in Sion case
By Andrew Warshaw
September 24 – UEFA President Michel Platini has been summoned to appear in court to answer claims that FC Sion were uinfairly expelled from the Europa League, according to the Swiss club.
Race on to replace Jack Warner as head of Caribbean Football Union
By Andrew Warshaw
September 24 – The scandal-rocked Caribbean Football Union (CFU) will elect a new chief on November 20 to replace Jack Warner who resigned from all football activities after being suspended in the wake of the FIFA cash-for-votes debacle.
Klass latest Caribbean official to be banned after cash-for-votes scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
September 23 – The ongoing FIFA bribery scandal snared yet another victim today when the President of the Guyana Football Association, Colin Klass, was banned for 26 months by the organisation’s Ethics Committee.
Exclusive: Barcelona and Real Madrid will win the Champions League every year unless new television deal is agreed, warns Cruz
By David Gold
September 23 – The general manager of La Liga outfit Sevilla, Jose Maria Cruz, has warned that unless a new centralised television rights deal is agreed in Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona could end up winning the European Champions League every year.
Spanish Government introduce new rules to protect players wages
By David Gold
September 23 – The Spanish Government has agreed a new law which will prevent the countries’ clubs from using administration to avoid paying players’ wages.
Iraq forced to play qualifying matches on neutral grounds after FIFA ban
By David Gold
September 23 – Iraq will play its home qualifying games for the 2014 World Cup and the London 2012 Olympic Games at neutral venues, after FIFA expressed concern over security in the country.
Roar’s chief executive Buckley steps down
By David Gold
September 21 – Eugenie Buckley will be leaving her post as the chief executive of Australian side Brisbane Roar to pursue other opportunities, it has been announced.
Real Madrid submit record-breaking turnover
By David Gold
September 21 – Real Madrid has set a new world record after generating €480 million (£419 million/$655 million) in turnover for the year ending June 30, 2011, beating the previous figure set by rivals Barcelona earlier this week.
Future of European football to be discussed at UEFA summit
By Andrew Warshaw
September 20 – The entire 53-nation membership of UEFA are meeting in Cyprus today and tomorrow for a rare brainstorming summit called by the organisation’s President Michel Platini to try to find solutions to a range of issues souring the game.
CAF strikes new centralised World Cup deal with Italian firm
By David Gold
September 20 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou has signed a contract with Italian company B4, who are closely associated with French organisations Lagardère Sport and Sportfive, for the sale of centralised television and marketing rights to the African World Cup qualifiers.
Exclusive: Caribbean officials to face FIFA Ethics Committee next month over bribery allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
September 19 – The eagerly awaited hearing into 15 Caribbean officials charged for their alleged involvement in football’s most infamous cash-for-votes scandal is expected to take place between October 10 and 14, insideworldfootball has learned.
China’s next generation of football hopefuls to train with Le Mans
By David Gold
September 19 – A deal has been agreed between the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and French Ligue 2 side Le Mans as part of the “Future Star” programme, which looks to give Chinese teenagers the chance to hone their skills abroad.
Shield called in to reform Australian refereeing
By David Gold
September 18 – World Cup referee Mark Shield has been appointed by the Football Federation Australia (FFA) as its new director of referees, as it looks to overhaul refereeing in the country under its new Referee Development initiative.
Sion claim court ruling should invalidate Europa League results
By Andrew Warshaw
September 17 – The court injunction won by FC Sion against UEFA should invalidate Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 win over Celtic, as well Udinese’s 2-1 victory over Rennes, in Thursday night’s opening Europa League group games, according to the Swiss club.