The path to political power through football

Argentina’s new centre-right president Maurico Marci is the former chairman of leading club Boca Juniors. This is not a coincidence: he consciously used it as a route to political power.

In the Financial Times weekend magazine Simon Kuper revealed how Marci addressed a meeting in Oxford 14 years ago to explain how he planned to parlay his success with Boca Juniors into a political career.   He applied business principles, took a risk by getting rid of some popular players, and brought success.

Can the FC United model survive?

FC United is a genuine fans’ club.   But can the model survive as the club becomes more successful? Recently the club was upset by the FA’s decision to move their cup game to a Monday night so that it could be televised.   Part of their argument for traditional football is that it should be played on a Saturday.

Are Uefa targeting Manchester City?

Manchester City face with being charged by Uefa after their fans booed the Champions League anthem before their match against Seville on Wednesday.  Uefa’s control, ethics and disciplinary body are to consider ‘the disruption of the competition anthem’ at their meeting on 19 November.

Uefa sources are discounting the prospect of a formal charge, but City intend to robustly defend their supporters’ right to peaceful protest and are instructing lawyers.

Hull City name change turned down

Contrary to expectations, the FA have turned down Hull City’s application to change their name to Hull Tigers. FA chairman Greg Dyke is believed to have supported the application. The idea now looks dead in the water.

Fans have campaigned against the name change, although some argue that it is only a vociferous minority of fans that are opposed.

Hull hopeful of name change

Hull City are hopeful that a FA hearing on Saturday will allow them to change their name to Hull Tigers.  It is understood that the Football League will not oppose the change.   The Premier League is not thought to be opposed either.

The League is aware that the decision would set a precedent and could lead to a whole series of ice hockey style names for clubs.  However, other clubs may be rightly sceptical of the marketing advantages which Hull’s owners claim the name change will bring.

Cellino in trouble again

Leeds owner Massimo Cellino could be in trouble with the Football League again, a month after his four month ban barring him from having any executive influence at the club expired. He is appealing against the disqualification through the FA’s arbitration process.

Cellinio has been fined £28,000 by an Italian court and had his Range Rover confiscated after it was found that he had failed to pay VAT on the imported car. He was acquitted of customs offences.