Football Notes: UEFA Names Gibraltar FA As An Official Member

UEFA President Michel Platini said that the organization has "no other choice" than to accept the Gibraltar FA into its ranks as a member with full voting rights because the Court of Arbitration for Sport has said that they must. Platini said, "We're obliged to include Gibraltar because that is what the Court of Arbitration for Sport is asking us to do. For that reason, we'll have to ask the Congress in London to accept the decision" (MARCA, 12/8). ... Chinese second-tier football club Fujian Smart Hero was purchased by Yongchang Real Estate Company in Hebei province. The club is "expected to play" its games in the province's capital Shijiazhuang. The new owners "want to see" the team in the first-tier Chinese Super League next season (WILD EAST FOOTBALL, 12/7).