Lennart Johansson career explored in new TV documentary
By David Owen
October 23 – A new TV documentary on the career of former UEFA President Lennart Johansson has been produced by the Swedish company, Mastroc Mediaproduktion.
Europe
Horne to leave English FA
October 22 – English Football Association general secretary Alex Horne, who has done much to try and improve relations between his federation and the game’s governing bodies, is to leave the organisation in January after serving in a variety of different roles for 11 years.
Polish businessman takes Flota Swinoujscie from public to private ownership
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
October 22 – Polish businessman Jerzy Wozniak has taken just over 96% stake in Flota Swinoujscie, which turned itself into a private limited company. The club’s association holds 3% of the shares, and the Polish city, which previously financed by side, was allocated a 1% stake.
British government acts to stimulate fan ownership of clubs
22 October – A new initiative which aims to help supporters have a greater say in the running of their club is being set up by the British government in conjunction with the football authorities.
Pirelli – Inter: Is one of football’s longest partnerships on the rocks?
By Mark Baber
October 22 – Comments by Michael Bolingbroke, CEO of Inter, on the future relationship of the club with Pirelli have ignited speculation as to whether the 20 year partnership may be possibly be coming to an end.
City blow hot over away fan ban after a cold lonely night in Moscow
October 22 – UEFA’s decision to slap a three-game behind-closed-door home ban on CSKA Moscow for a series of misdemeanours has been criticized by the captain of Manchester City whose fans were also excluded from last night’s 2-2 Champions League draw.
Platini savages TPO and calls for ‘tailor-made legal framework’
By David Owen
October 21 – Michel Platini, the UEFA President, has used a keynote speech to European Union (EU) Sports Ministers in Rome to launch a scathing attack on the practice of third-party ownership (TPO).
Platini backs a German for World Player award
October 21 – UEFA president Michel Platini says it’s only fair that a German player wins this year’s FIFA World Player award because of the country’s World Cup success.
UEFA hands out fines to Galatasaray, Wales and Andorra for fan trouble
October 21 – UEFA have fined Galatasaray €50,000 and ordered the Turkish club pay costs for the trouble caused by their fans in the Champions League clash at Arsenal on October 1.
Ukraine vs Russia causes more damage to Shakhtar’s Donbass Arena
October 21 – Ukraine’s domestic champions have once again become an unwitting victim of the military conflict in the country after Shakhtar Donetsk’s state-of-the-art Donbass Arena suffered further damage from shelling despite a ceasefire agreed between the government and Russian-backed separatists.
Platini suggests sin bin white card to solve dissent ‘epidemic’
October 20 – UEFA president Michel Platini, not averse to coming up with fresh ideas for enhancing the game – some of which have their critics as well as their supporters – has thrown out another proposal: white cards to mean sinbins for players who harass referees to protest decisions.
LFP pushes best commercial practice doctrine to help clubs with crippling tax burden
By David Owen
October 19 – The French Professional Football League (LFP) intends to set up a commercial support department to spread best practice among the country’s leading clubs. Mathieu Ficot, the LFP’s chief commercial officer, made the disclosure in an interview with INSIDEworldfootball.
David Owen: Has Europe given up on FIFA?
Has Europe given up on FIFA? The question is raised by what seems to have been a particularly productive month for Michel Platini, President of UEFA, the European football body.
Platini to take part in EU Sports Ministers meeting
By David Owen
October 18 – UEFA President Michel Platini will go to Rome next week to discuss the body’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) initiative with European Union (EU) sports ministers.
New Stade Vélodrome inaugurated
By David Owen
October 17 – The new Stade Vélodrome, complete with undulating white roof, has been inaugurated in front of the new French Sports Minister in the southern French city of Marseille.