La Liga side Espanyol "has decided to suspend a friendly that was scheduled for Sunday" in Tripoli, Libya against Saudi club Al Ittihad. The decision was "based on security concerns raised by the Spanish embassy." The suspension of the friendly "has been confirmed after the express recommendation from the Spanish embassy not to travel to Libya" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 8/7). ... The promoter of the friendly between Barcelona and the Thailand national team "agreed to reward the Thailand footballers." The game's organizer "promised that it would give the team €25,000 ($33,475) for each goal it scored against Barcelona." Thanks to a successful penalty kick by Thailand's Dangda, "the team received another gift in addition to playing against some of the best players in the world" (AS, 8/8). ... League Championship side Reading FC has announced a new club record for season ticket holders in the Football League. More than 14,000 season tickets have been issued for the '13-14 Championship (Reading FC). ... Two Armenian referees "admitted a match-fixing charge" by UEFA and were suspended on Wednesday (IANS, 8/8).
