Shakhtar’s Adriano hit with match ban after unsporting goal
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – One of the most bizarre instances of bad sportsmanship has been punished by UEFA with Shakhtar Donetsk’s Luiz Adriano handed a one-match ban.
CAS investigating African football’s Presidential vote rules
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – The power struggle to determine who can and who can’t challenge for the top job in African football is being taken all the way to sport’s highest court of law, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Goal-line technology to feature at FIFA Club World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – Both venues for the upcoming Club World Cup in Japan will employ goal-line technology to assist the officials, FIFA has confirmed, ending years of foot-dragging by the authorities.
UEFA considering scrapping Europa League in favour of expanded Champions League
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – Despite considerable efforts to make it more appealing and competitive, UEFA is now considering ditching the much-maligned Europa League and doubling the size of the Champions League.
Arsenal’s Gazidis elected to ECA board
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – The English Premier League has maintained its decision-making status on the top table of the European Club Association (ECA) with Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis elected to the organisation’s executive board.
Liverpool hire sports psychiatrist who inspired cycling greats Hoy, Pendleton and Wiggins
By Mike Rowbottom
November 28 – Liverpool FC have strengthened their backroom team by hiring Steve Peters, the sports psychiatrist who inspired Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Bradley Wiggins to Olympic cycling success.
Gaza conflict damages vital sporting infrastructure
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – The recent hostilities in Gaza have spilled over into the football arena with pro-Palestinian representatives criticising Israel’s military offensive, which is claimed to have damaged vital sporting infrastructure.
Platini’s pan-continent Euro 2020 plans are picking up support, claims Germany
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – UEFA President Michel Platini’s plan to stage the 2020 European Championship finals across the entire continent is picking up support among national European federations, according to the Germans.
FIFA makes revenue-boosting change to World Cup sponsorship rules
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – FIFA has modified its World Cup sponsorship rules by changing the “national supporter” category to “continental supporter” – starting with the 2018 event in Russia.
Exclusive: Bitter Asian divisions threaten to scupper reforms
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – The bitter political in-fighting at the heart of Asian football comes to a head tomorrow in a make-or-break showdown designed to heal the rifts and bring about desperately needed stability.
Brazil stadiums will be ready for 2014 World Cup, says FIFA’s Valcke
By Andrew Warshaw
November 27 – All 12 stadiums will be ready to stage the 2014 World Cup despite continuing concerns over construction delays, according to FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke.
Emirates wants improvement in FIFA’s reputation before renewing sponsorship
By Andrew Warshaw
November 27 – Emirates Airlines, one of FIFA’s most important sponsors, want to see some kind of improvement in the organisation’s image before putting pen to paper on any further deals.
Portsmouth fans to learn fate of beleaguered club next month
By Andrew Warshaw
November 27 – Fans hoping to own crisis club Portsmouth will find out whether they have succeeded when matters come to a head in court next month – with the prospect of liquidation if they lose.
Brazil’s Del Nero embroiled in police probe
By Andrew Warshaw
November 27 – Marco Polo Del Nero, Brazil’s FIFA Executive Committee member, has been interrogated by police investigating financial crimes and extortion – the latest blow to the image of both football’s world governing body and the 2014 World Cup hosts.
Unexploded bomb discovered near new Russia 2018 World Cup stadium in Moscow
By Duncan Mackay
November 26 – A unexploded World War Two bomb has been discovered on the site of a new stadium being built in Moscow for the 2018 World Cup.