Giggs’ Welsh return on hold as court date pushed to August
January 19 – The trial of Wales manager Ryan Giggs over alleged domestic violence has been delayed until August 8 – due to a lack of court space.
Law
Belgium football ripped apart as prosecutors name 57 in ‘Clean Hands’ probe
By Samindra Kunti
January 17 – Brugge strongmen Bart Verhaeghe and Vincent Mannaert, AA Gent’s Michel Louwagie, Standard’s Bruno Venanzi, Charleroi’s Mehdi Bayat and FIFA’s Steven Martens were named among the 57 suspects that the federal prosecutor wants in court in operation ‘Clean Hands’, the largest investigation into match-fixing and corruption in the history of Belgian football.
FIFA technical director Martens wanted in connection with Belgian corruption case
By Samindra Kunti
January 17 – Belgian authorities want FIFA technical director Steven Martens in court. He was named as one of 57 football administrators, coaches and referees that the federal prosecutor wants to charge as part of operation ‘Clean Hands’, the largest investigation into match-fixing and corruption in the history of the Belgian game.
Swiss prosecutors keep spotlight on Al-Khelaifi and Valcke over alleged World Cup TV deal
January 11 – Almost a year after launching an appeal, Swiss prosecutors have a second chance to win their case against beIN Sport supremo and Paris St Germain boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi over the allocation of World Cup TV rights.
Premier League wins $213m in High Court court over collapsed Chinese TV deal
January 12 – A Chinese broadcaster has been ordered to pay the English Premier League $213 million by the High Court in London over the collapse of one of the league’s most lucrative international rights agreements.
Judge dismisses paedophile claims against Man City as being ‘out of time’
January 11 – Eight men who sued Manchester City after claiming they were abused by notorious paedophile Barry Bennell more than 30 years ago have lost a High Court battle.
Qatari court jails former SC comms chief Ibhais for 3-years on fraud charge
By Samindra Kunti in Lusail, Qatar
December 15 – On appeal, Abdullah Ibhais, a former employee of the Supreme Committee for Legacy and Delivery (SC), was sentenced to three years in prison for “fraud” in Qatari court on Wednesday.
Italian police probe Ronaldo’s Juve transfer deal as striker breaks 800 goals mark
December 3 – Italian prosecutors have ordered a new search of Juventus offices as part of an ongoing probe into the Serie A club as they also examine the financial terms of the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United.
Former Czech FA boss Pelta jailed for fraudulent use of government sports subsidies
November 29 – A Czech court has sentenced a former head of the country’s FA to six and years in jail for fraud.
Police raid Juve offices in probe into suspected transfer fraud
November 29 – The offices of Juventus, Italy’s most successful club, were raided by police last Friday amid an investigation into transfer dealings between 2019 and 2021.
Swiss judiciary nominates two special prosecutors to re-start Infantino criminal probe
November 26 – The Swiss criminal investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his involvement with disgraced former federal prosecutor Michael Lauber looks set to resume, this time with two special prosecutors rather than one.
Benzema found guilty of sex-tape blackmail and handed 1-year suspended jail term
November 25 – France and Real Madrid star striker Karim Benzema (pictured) has been found guilty of conspiring to blackmail a fellow French footballer with a sex tape. He has been sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term and fined.
Man City’s Mendy hit with two more charges of rape
November 18 – Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has appeared in court to face two further charges of rape.
Chelsea fan is jailed in for anti-semitic tweets aimed at Spurs supporters
November 8 – A fanatical Chelsea fan who posted antisemitic and racist tweets aimed at supporters of rivals Tottenham Hotspur, a club with large Jewish following, has been jailed for eight weeks.
English fan jailed for Facebook abuse of Rashford, Sancho and Saka after Euro final
November 4 – An English fan who racially abused Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after England lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy has been sentenced to 10 weeks in jail.