Football Notes: RFU President Criticizes Proposed Unified Football League

The proposal for a "Unified Football League" for Russian and Ukrainian clubs "has been met with further criticism" after Russian Football Union President Nikolai Tolstykh stated the funds earmarked for the project would be better directed toward "infrastructure projects and the development of youth football." UFL organizers are targeting an annual budget of €1B ($1.35B) for the new league, which has set a target launch of '14-15, as they "bid to drive increased revenues into the domestic game and raise standards" (SOCCEREX, 11/25). ... Confederation of African Football General Secretary Hicham El Amrani "has denied reports that Libya could again be stripped of hosting rights to the Africa Cup of Nations, stating the 2017 tournament is set to be played in the country despite its ongoing troubles." Libya "was originally scheduled to host this year’s edition of the Cup of Nations before CAF took the decision to switch the event" to South Africa in Sept. '11 "amid security concerns" (SOCCEREX, 11/25).