Greek Cup final postponed amid new fears over fan violence
By Matt Scott
May 9 – The Greek Football Cup final scheduled for Saturday was postponed by the government amid safety fears for the match.
Kuwaiti club delegation lobbies FIFA to end suspension and save game from ‘dying’
By Andrew Warshaw
May 9 – Representatives of Kuwaiti clubs are planning to be in Mexico City later this week to drum up support against FIFA’s decision to ban the Gulf state over government interference in sport.
Ekeng death triggers criticism of Romanian player safety measures
By Andrew Warshaw
May 9 – Football’s world players’ union FIFPro has raised concern about the level of first-aid treatment for footballers in Romania following the tragic death of Dinamo Bucharest and Cameroon midfielder Patrick Ekeng on Friday.
Man City build with new Chinese partners in advance of July tour
May 9 – Manchester City, who have recently taken on board a $400 million investment from Chinese investors in their City Football Group ownership group, have added two new Chinese partners in advance of their July pre-season trip to the country where they will play Borussia Dortmund and local rivals Manchester United.
Guardiola gets an early Manchester welcome with Utd poised to send City to Europa Cup
May 9 – When Pep Guardiola agreed terms with Manchester City to take over from Manuel Pellegrini next season, he surely did so with the prospect of having another crack at the Champions League as well as turning his many talents to taking City back to the top of the pack domestically.
Football is as exciting as sex, the science proves it is true
By Paul Nicholson
May 9 – Champions League sponsor Nissan has developed an Excitement Index with Loughborough University that found that the average heart rate reached a peak 122 bpm during exciting moments in the match, which is comparable to the peak heart rates found in scientific studies of couples having sex.
Meaty problem has not gone away for FIFA dope testers
By David Owen
May 9 – Contaminated meat is continuing to pose a challenge for FIFA dope testers. Data published recently by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on anti-doping rule violations in 2014 – World Cup year – disclosed that of just over 2,000 samples taken by FIFA, 18 produced adverse analytical findings, identifying the presence in the sample of a prohibited substance.
Paraguay hands over 10,000 CONMEBOL files to US prosecutors
By Mark Baber
May 6 – Money laundering prosecutors in Paraguay have handed over 10,000 documents seized from CONMEBOL’s headquarters in Asuncion to US prosecutors investigating corruption within football.
Euro 2016 opening match tickets still on sale, other matches available
May 6 – The opening match of EURO 2016 is struggling to sell out. On April 26 UEFA released a final batch of tickets for its flagship event but the showpiece opener at Paris’ Stade de France still has seats available.
Klopp won’t be walking alone in Basel as Liverpool head to Europa League final
May 6 – He’s only been there since October but Jurgen Klopp and his improving Liverpool team are 90 minutes away – barring extra time and penalties – from playing Champions League football next season.
Mission Impossible? India goes into bat chasing 11 million target
By Samindra Kunti
May 6 – The All India Football Federation, the AIFF, has launched an ambitious new programme to build its fan and playing base – ‘Mission 11 Million’.
Rangers tax case draws calls for independent inquiry into Scottish football
By Matt Scott
May 5 – Glasgow Rangers escaped being stripped of historic league titles by the Scottish Football Association on false pretences, a report by the Tax Justice Network (TJN) has alleged.
Boro and Brighton in £170m shoot-out for Premier League
May 6 – Promotion to the Premier League could be worth around £170 million to the winner of Saturday’s sudden death decider between Middlesbrough and Brighton, according to financial analysts Deloitte.
Dyke says Spurs deal for Wembley is getting close
May 6 – Tottenham Hotspur are getting closer to a deal to play home their Premier League games at Wembley, the national stadium, in the 2017-18 season as they complete building work on a new ground.
FIFA issue life bans for Bedoya and Jadue for bribery
May 6 – FIFA ethics judges have handed down life bans on two senior South American officials who have already pleaded guilty as part of the FBI probe into widespread football-related bribery and corruption.