Football
Putin orders stadium development to speed up in World Cup host cities
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered officials in three host cities for the 2018 Fifa World Cup to speed up stadium development, amid renewed concerns over a key venue in St. Petersburg for the national team football tournament.
Mutko urges Saint Petersburg to meet obligations as stadium contractor fired
Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has today (Friday) said Saint Petersburg must meet its obligations as a host for the 2017 edition of Fifa’s Confederations Cup national team tournament, following the dismissal of the general contractor that has been leading construction of a new stadium in the city.
Infantino to be interviewed by Fifa ethics investigators – report
Fifa president Gianni Infantino will appear in front of the Ethics Committee of world football’s governing body after it was alleged that he breached the organisation’s ethics code.
Argentinian football set for new Superliga system
Argentinian club football is set for a major overhaul after a proposal to introduce a new Superliga competition was approved.
LFP explores esports competition, all-star game
The Ligue de Football Professionnel, which operates the French football league, has teamed up with video game producer EA Sports to explore the launch of an esports competition in the country as part of a number of innovative measures under discussion.
Wanda strikes deal to host major annual football tournament in China
Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda has sealed a deal to host a new international football tournament in China that will feature some of the sport’s top national teams from Europe and the Americas.
Atlético Madrid approves investment in France’s Lens
The board of Spanish Liga football club Atlético Madrid has approved the purchase of a 34.6 per cent stake in French Ligue 2 team Lens.
Football legends sign up as India’s Premier Futsal launches
Organisers of India’s Premier Futsal have today (Tuesday) hit back at questions directed at the viability of the new event as it was formally launched with the announcement of franchise owners and marquee signings such as Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs and Brazil superstar Ronaldinho.
Uefa details revenue increase for Euro 2016
European football’s governing body Uefa has revealed that revenue at Euro 2016 amounted to €1.93bn ($2.13bn), up 34 per cent on the total collected at the 2012 edition of the quadrennial national team tournament.
Spanish court drops fraud probe into Neymar’s Barcelona move
The legal furore surrounding Neymar’s controversial 2013 move to Spanish Liga football club Barcelona is set to come to a close after a Madrid court today (Friday) dismissed a second case concerning the transfer.
Dalian Wanda targets competition to rival Champions League
Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda is behind plans to launch a rival competition to the Uefa Champions League, according to the Financial Times.
Messi to appeal tax fraud ruling
Barcelona and Argentina football star Lionel Messi, along with his father, are to appeal against a Spanish court decision to issue them both with a 21-month jail sentence for tax fraud, the player’s lawyers have said.
Messi handed prison sentence in tax fraud case
Barcelona and Argentina football star Lionel Messi has today (Wednesday) been sentenced to 21 months in prison and fined €2m ($2.2m) after being found guilty of tax fraud, however the 29-year-old is unlikely to serve any jail time.
Slovenian official named as Scala’s replacement at Fifa
Fifa has today appointed Slovenian executive Tomaž Vesel as the replacement for Domenico Scala as head of the Audit and Compliance Committee of world football’s governing body.
Fifa and LOC make security pledge for Russia’s 2018 World Cup
Fifa and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2018 World Cup in Russia have said that additional security measures will be introduced for the national team tournament in the wake of hooligan-related violence at Uefa Euro 2016 in France, while ticket pricing details have been revealed for the next edition of the football showpiece.
LaLiga to target Indian market with new office
LaLiga, which operates the football league structure in Spain, will open a new office in India, its president Javier Tebas has confirmed.
Fifa Appeal Committee reduces bans for Valcke, Chung
Fifa, football’s global governing body, has today (Tuesday) announced that its Appeal Committee has opted to reduce the bans imposed on former secretary general Jerome Valcke and South Korean official Chung Mong-joon.
Berlusconi claims AC Milan takeover is close
AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has said that the Italian Serie A football club is close to finalising a takeover deal with a Chinese group, headed up by internet entrepreneur Robin Li, stating that an agreement has been reached in principle.