Spain
Barcelona FC insures against defeat
European soccer giants Barcelona have taken out an insurance policy against being eliminated from the Champions League competition.
Deportivo cuts transfer spending
Spanish soccer club Deportivo La Coruna has spent a mere Pts300m ($1.564m) on the transfer market this summer as opposed to the multi-million dollar expense sheets of its great rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Racing stand firm in threat to league over passport row
Players and fans of Racing Santander have backed the Spanish soccer club's threat not to play the last two matches of the season because of a dispute over the falsification of player passports.
TV coverage of soccer ‘still not enough’
The danger of overkill in the television coverage of European soccer has receded over the last year, according to a survey carried out by German-based research company SPORT + MARKT.
Opel ‘the most successful soccer sponsor’
Opel is the most successful sponsor of soccer shirts in Europe, according to a survey carried out by German-based research company Sport+ Markt. How to Develop Effective Sponsorship Programmes: A new report from SportBusiness Group
Zidane signs record deal with Real Madrid
French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane became the world’s most expensive footballer yesterday after signing a £48m ($68m) contract with Spain’s Real Madrid.
SPL chief demands changes to game’s hierarchy
The head of Scottish soccer’s Premier League, chief executive Roger Mitchell, has called for changes to the hierarchy of the game.
Honduras to replace Argentina in Copa America
Honduras has stated it will take part in Copa America, replacing Argentina after the South American side pulled out for security reasons of the tournament hosted by Colombia.
Valencia president resigns
Pedro Cortes, president of Spanish soccer club Valencia, has resigned after pressure from main shareholder Francisco Roig.
Congo takes Real Madrid to court
Colombian Edwin Congo has taken his case against European soccer giants Real Madrid to the Spanish league, La Liga Profesional de Futbol (LPF).
Spanish golf close to 200,000 registered players
The Spanish Golf Federation is close to reaching 200,000 registered golfers.
Seville, Madrid in Olympics row
A row has broken out between Seville and Madrid, both fighting for the right to be chosen as Spanish candidate for the 2012 Olympics.
La Manga Club to host LTA
The UK’s Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has signed a five-year partnership with La Manga Club, the sports and leisure resort situated in south-east Spain.
Figo puts Barca in the black
Spanish soccer club Barcelona ended last season in profit because of the sale of Luis Figo to Real Madrid.
Huelva to host Latin American Games
The 2004 Latin American Games will be held in Huelva, Spain.
Spanish passport row rumbles on
Spanish soccer clubs that have lodged protests against opponents fielding players with illegally-obtained European passports are set to continue their fight beyond the end of the season.
Samaranch out of intensive care
Juan Antonio Samaranch has left the intensive care unit of the Swiss hospital he has been in for a week after suffering from chronic fatigue.
Perez wants Real Madrid to be like Manchester United
Florentino Perez, president of Spanish soccer club Real Madrid, wants to follow Manchester United's example in exploiting marketing opportunities in the game.