A (now) monthly compilation of interesting business news related to soccer.

Eto’o Lands Where Few Would Expect — in Dagestan – August 30th

His will surely be the most surreal transfer of the summer.

Arguably Africa’s finest soccer export, with an Olympian turn of pace and a rapid eye for goals, he had some choice — but not a lot — in his latest move.

It takes him from Inter Milan to Anzhi Makhachkala.

Full Article >> NYTimes

Premier League clubs spend biggest in the transfer window – September 1st

As the dust settles on the registration papers lodged with national associations across Europe, it has become clear that clubs in the big five European leagues spent a net £351.5m on new players this summer in transfer fees alone. By far the lion’s share of that total came from the Premier League, where the net outlay amounted to £194m.

Full Article >> The Guardian

 Call for ‘Rooney Rule’ – September 8th

 Over 20 per cent of professional footballers in England are black, yet as this article is written just two managers [Chris Hughton and Chris Powell] from the 92 professional clubs are black or from an ethnic minority background.

So what can be done? Well one measure being actively looked at is making it a legal requirement for all clubs to interview at least one black or ethnic minority candidate for their manager’s job when it becomes available.

Full Article >> Sky Sports 

Garry Cook resigns from Manchester City over offensive email claims – September 9th

The Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has resigned his position at the club in the wake of allegations he sent an email to Nedum Onuoha’s mother, Dr Anthonia Onuoha, who has cancer, ridiculing her illness. Cook initially denied sending the email, which was supposed to be going to City’s director of football, Brian Marwood, and claimed his email account had been hacked into. He also claimed the culprit had been dealt with.

Full Article >> The Guardian 

UEFA risks Champions League uprising – September 15th

The Champions League could be set for its biggest makeover since being re-branded in 1992, with the European Club Association [ECA] and the European Professional Football Leagues [EPFL] threatening to wrest control of the competition from UEFA unless a power struggle is resolved.

ESPNsoccernet understands that a schism is forming between the ECA and UEFA as Europe’s clubs and leagues are unhappy with what they perceive to be a lack of fair representation on UEFA’s executive board, which makes the major football decisions on the continent.

Full Article >> Soccernet@ESPN

Big Mac Phenomenon in Relation to Greece’s Tragedy – September 18th

Soccer club owner Makis Psomiadis – one of Greece’s most wanted men- was arrested after the anti-terrorist squad raided a luxurious villa in south Attica rented by Psomiadi’s friend, a thirty-eight year old former beauty Queen and model. For the past six months, taped conversations of Makis Psomiadis and his “friends” have shaken-yet again- Greek football to its foundations. The conversations appeared to lift the lid on a world of favours and behind-the-scenes deals between Psomiadis and other mafia-style club officials, the famous “παράγοντες”.

Full Article >> Greek Reporter

FIFA seeks web-based transfer system for players – September 21

FIFA wants to set up a transfer system that would function as a financial clearinghouse for all international player transactions and limit the role of agents.

FIFA legal director Marco Villiger said Wednesday the web-based system would allow FIFA to check every international transfer payment. In time, the system could also function as a resource for clubs to see which players are on the market.

Full Article >> Boston.com

UEFA have no power to ban Tevez for refusing to play – September 29th

 UEFA says it has no power to ban Carlos Tevez for apparently refusing to play for Manchester City in Tuesday’s Champions’ League fixture against Bayern Munich.

“There is no punishment they can ask for from outside,” a UEFA spokesman told insideworldfootball.

“All they can do is not field him.”

Full Article >> Inside World Football 

Fenerbahçe to set up women-only spectators’ area – September 30th

The Turkish football club that played a recent match in front of a crowd consisting entirely of women and children is to set up a women-only spectators’ area in its stadium in an attempt to diversify its fan base.

Fenerbahçe set the unusual precedent earlier in September when, having been penalised for crowd trouble, the club staged a match against Manisaspor in front of 42,000 women and children at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium.

Full Article >> The Guardian

IOC member slams FIFA’s anti-corruption approach – September 30th

FIFA’s efforts to clean up football have come under attack from influential International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound, who claims the organisation lacks the will to follow through on its promises.

Pound, speaking at the Play the Game conference in Cologne, Germany, made his views known as FIFA president Sepp Blatter prepares to present the anti-corruption reforms demanded following a year of scandal within world football’s governing body. Pound led the IOC’s inquiry into the infamous Salt Lake City bidding affair and believes FIFA is in the midst of a deeper crisis that needs to be resolved.

Full Article >> Soccerex.com