Belgium labour under €4.5m loss and indifferent pre-Euro form
By Samindra Kunti
June 3 – Belgium may be one of the favorites to win Euro2016, but the Belgian FA, the KBVB, has been suffering from a €4.5 million loss since the 2014 World Cup.
News Analysis: Infantino has a problem
By James Dostoyevsky
Yesterday, Switzerland’s staunchly conservative daily, known as ‘NZZ’ among Zurich’s intelligentsia, headlined its back page: ‘Gianni Infantino has a problem’. The paper proceeded to list a host of “problems”, all of which look to be self-inflicted. And some of which will lead (have led) to an Ethics investigation by a man who cannot be bought: Cornel Borbély is a strong fighter for the good, and has no worries about being asked to leave.
Villar Llona hit by Spanish court dates as he ponders his next UEFA move
By Paul Nicholson
June 2 – Angel Maria Villar Llona, the controversial president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and current interim president at UEFA, has been summoned to appear in court in Spain in July charged with deliberately delaying presidential elections at the RFEF.
AFC reform task force reviews progress and proposes new whistleblower policy
June 2 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at a meeting of its Governance Reform Task Force has taken steps to implement a new and more detailed whistleblower policy, a first for a football confederation outside the area of match-fixing.
Benzema accuses Deschamps of bowing to racist pressure over Euro selection
By Andrew Warshaw
June 2 – France’s attempt at a harmonious build-up to the start of Euro 2016 has been rocked after star striker Karim Benzema lashed out at coach Didier Deschamps for “bowing to the pressure of a racist part of France” when omitting him from the hosts’ squad.
Infantino reassures Russia and suggests 2018 will reboot economy
By Andrew Warshaw
June 2 – Making sure he avoided any slip-ups after a tempestuous and controversial last few weeks, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, on a trip to 2018 World Cup hosts Russia, said the country was on track to stage the tournament despite economic problems caused by sanctions and the shrinking oil price.
China’s Suning closes in on Inter Milan majority stake for €650m
June 2 – Chinese retailer Suning Commerce is reportedly close to buying a 60% stake in Inter Milan, the latest foray into European football by Chinese investors.
Hershman to head ICSS as it enters next stage of development
June 2 – A leading anti-corruption expert who was part of the original team commissioned by FIFA to recommend specific reform proposals has become Group CEO of the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS).
Liverpool add Roma match in US to pre-season schedule
June 2 – Liverpool have added a third US fixture to their pre-season schedule. Already competing in the International Champions Cup (ICC) tournament, they will now play AS Roma from Italy’s Serie A in St Louis on August 1.
European football set to hit €25bn in revenue next season, says Deloitte
By David Owen
June 2 – Aggregate revenues of clubs in the Big Five European leagues are expected to exceed €15 billion by the end of next season due in part to the new cycle of Premier League TV deals, according to the latest Annual Review of Football Finance just published by Deloitte, the professional services firm.
Exclusive: Espelund quits football politics deciding not to run for FIFA Council
By Andrew Warshaw
June 1 – European football has lost the services of arguably its most knowledgeable and dedicated voice in the women’s game after Karen Espelund decided not to put her name forward as UEFA’s representative on FIFA’s newly established ruling Council.
Argentina threat to pull out of Copa America Centenario is withdrawn
By Samindra Kunti
June 1 – Argentina will be playing in the Copa Centenario this month after the federation withdrew a threat that it will pull its team out in protest against government intervention in the running of the country’s football association. Argentina FA (AFA) president Luis Segura, speaking in Buenos Aires, said that the team would remain in its California training base and would not be flying home.
Messi tax fraud trial opens in Spain with father lined up to take the fall for son
June 1 – The long-awaited trial of Argentina and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi on tax fraud charges has begun in Spain – but he will not appear in court until later this week.
England opt for youth and returning players for Euro challenge
June 1 – England fans have reacted with bemusement – some with incredulity – after Danny Drinkwater, one of the stars of Leicester City’s miraculous title-winning season, was left out of the England squad for Euro 2016 whilst a player who managed just three league games because of injury was included.
Kick It Out tackles online discrimination with Euro 2016 campaign
June 1- The Kick It Out anti-discrimination body is calling on fans at Euro 2016 to flag up any abuse of players on social media. Dubbed ‘Klick It Out’, the campaign is seeking to raise awareness of online abuse within football.