A weekly compilation of interesting business news related to soccer.

Italian Soccer Clubs Docked Points, 10 Players Banned for Fixing Matches – August 9th

Newly promoted Serie A club Atalanta received a six-point deduction and two of its players were suspended for alleged match-fixing, the Italian soccer federation said on its website

Benevento also received a 9-point deduction and Ascoli was docked 6 points. Seventeen teams were fined, docked points or both.

Full Article >> Bloomberg 

Real Betis told by administrators to sell before they buy – August 9th

Real Betis’ Vlada Stosic and Pepe Mel have met with the club’s administrators in a bid to facilitate reinforcing the team ahead of the coming La Liga season, and been told to sell players before they can buy.

On the team’s first day back from their pre-season tour of Wales, the club’s sporting director and Coach held talks alongside President Miguel Guillen with the club’s appointed administrators to try to release funds to buy new players.

Full Article >> A Different League

M.L.S. and NBC Sports Announce New TV Deal – August 10th

Major League Soccer and NBC Sports on Thursday will announce a new three-year agreement to televise 45 league matches and 4 United States national team games on the main network and on the NBC Sports Network, which will be the new name of the current cable station Versus. The deal will end the league’s relationship with Fox Soccer, which recently signed a one-year deal to carry matches in 2011.

Full Article >> Goal@NYTimes

La Liga set for delayed start as Spanish players’ union calls strike – August 11th

La Liga and Segunda División players will go on strike for the first two weekends of the new Spanish season as the players’ union steps up pressure on the league for a new deal over conditions.

At the heart of the dispute is the union’s demand for a larger emergency fund to help players not being paid by clubs who are in financial administration.

Full Article >> The Guardian