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Every Rules & refereeing story we publish, newest first.
Istvan Kovacs pointed to the spot for a Kalidou Koulibaly handball during Thursday's Al Khaleej-Al Hilal match in Saudi Arabia. The incident was almost identical to the Marc Pubill handball he did not punish in the Barcelona-Atlético Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 8. UEFA has just tightened its handball guidelines.
Matt
·5 min read
A study by the Cugat Institute involving one hundred professional footballers shows that a minimally invasive surgical technique allows players to return to competition in an average of 87 days after groin pain surgery. The procedure delivers a 98 % success rate in restoring the same competitive level players had before the injury.
InfoBlaugrana·6 min read
The league body has sent its reports to the RFEF Competition Committee and the Anti-Violence Commission covering the first two rounds of LaLiga and LaLiga 2. The documents include insults aimed at Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in three venues and chants against Spain and the national team in two others. Offensive chants between rival fan groups are also listed.
Javi·4 min read
UEFA has opened a disciplinary case against Olympique Lyonnais and Fenerbahçe after the incidents that marred the end of their Champions League playoff second leg, which the Turkish side won 2-1 to advance. The Disciplinary Commission is investigating the on-pitch clash involving players and staff from both clubs, as well as the throwing of objects and the lighting of flares by supporters.
InfoBlaugrana·6 min read
UEFA has filed court documents in the United States accusing Gianni Infantino of criminal mismanagement over the collapsed plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors. The explosive move escalates the civil war at the top of world football as the FIFA president shores up support ahead of a possible re-election bid.
varela·9 min read
The Scottish FA has sanctioned Celtic and Rangers with a home Scottish Cup match behind closed doors following the serious fan disorder after last season's quarter-final. Both clubs must also pay £100,000 to the team they are drawn against. The punishment signals a tougher stance on crowd trouble in Scottish football.
Javi·4 min read
The Scottish Football Association has ordered Celtic and Rangers to play their next home Scottish Cup tie behind closed doors following the crowd disorder that marred last season's quarter-final at Ibrox. Both clubs must also pay £100,000 to their opponents for lost gate receipts.
Matt·5 min read
The postponed Celta-Osasuna match at Balaidos produced a major VAR review with Marcos Alonso at the center of it. In the 51st minute, a heavy challenge on Iker Muñoz ended in a red card after the referee changed his initial yellow-card decision. The video replay showed the studs clearly struck the Osasuna player's shin, not his foot or ankle.
varela·5 min read
FIFA has already chosen the law firm that will defend it against the lawsuit UEFA filed in the United States over the FIFA Forward Enterprise program. The European governing body is demanding access to documents, communications and minutes related to the sale of part of the World Cup rights to an external investor, while Gianni Infantino faces an unprecedented institutional offensive less than…
varela·5 min read
UEFA is preparing to file criminal charges in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise project. The plan sought to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup's commercial rights for $4.2 billion. European football's governing body argues the deal was structured opaquely and at an absurdly low valuation.
InfoBlaugrana·6 min read