February 21 – Barcelona’s troubles on the field are being matched by a serious distraction off it with the news that Brazilian star Neymar has lost his final appeal and will stand trial on corruption charges relating to his transfer from Santos to Barcelona four years ago.
By Paul Nicholson
February 20 – Egypt’s top court in Cairo has this morning (Monday) upheld death sentences for 10 men for their part in the violence that left 74 football fans dead in the Port Said stadium disaster in February 2012.
February 20 – A total of 18 people, including three players, are to stand trial in the latest match-fixing case to hit Spain. Former Real Betis trio Xavier Torres, Antonio Amaya Carazo and Jordi Figueras are accused of accepting payments to rig results at the end of the 2013-14 La Liga season in an effort to ensure Osasuna avoided relegation.
February 20 – After weeks of relative silence, Franz Beckenbauer’s much publicised business dealings while he was at FIFA have come under fresh scrutiny, this time over the award of the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.
February 20 – US president Donald Trump’s executive order barring those from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen entering the country – now on hold – has nevertheless had its first high profile impact on a footballer.
February 17 – The eSports Integrity Coalition (ESIC) and International Centre for Sport Security Europe (ICSS EUROPE) have signed an agreement to work on match-fxing integrity issues facing the esports industry.
February 16 – FIFA’s ethics committee has opened formal proceedings against two former Central American officials after investigators recommended they be banned for life for alleged corruption.
February 14 – Following revelations about lack of drug testing in Spanish football, attention has now turned to the British domestic game with news that at least 39% of players who played in the English Football League last season – the three divisions below the premier League – were not tested by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) authorities.
February 13 – World anti-doping officials have expressed their alarm at the lack of drug testing in Spanish football, saying there have been no tests carried out for the last 11 months.
February 10 – The Scottish FA is appealing against a CHF 20,000 fine imposed by FIFA after their players wore armbands featuring the poppy symbol as an act of remembrance during their Armistice Day match with England on November 11.
February 10 – The English Football Association has been warned “the clock is ticking fast” after a motion of no confidence into its ability to reform itself was passed during a British Parliamentary debate.
February 9 – In a hugely controversial judgement that has caused outrage amongst the Italian Jewish community, two Lazio fans have been acquitted by a judge despite being caught on camera singing explicitly anti-Semitic chants at rival Roma supporters.
By Paul Nicholson
February 7 – The various charges against Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis – some legally and others through the media – are rapidly dropping away one by one. The latest charge to be reversed was by the Greek Administrative Court of Appeal in support of the positions of Olympiacos and Marinakis.
February 8 – English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has threatened to quit if the government does not support his proposed reforms of the organisation.
February 7 – Two British-based gaming enthusiasts who ran a betting website connected to FIFA’s globally popular EA Sports video game have pleaded guilty to breaching Britain’s gambling laws in a landmark case.