The Russian Football Premier League on Tuesday signed "a landmark partnership deal" with the Int'l Center for Sport Security in a bid to "protect the country’s top football division from possible threats to the safety, security and integrity of the sport." RFPL became the first Russian sports federation to "enter an agreement with the ICSS as Russia is gearing up to host a number of large-scale international sports events over the coming decade" (ITAR-TASS, 11/11). ... Football Federation Australia announced the latest organizational change in an ongoing restructuring process led by CEO David Gallop. The FFA established an Events Department to manage its expanding portfolio of national and int'l events. The department will take over the management of the A-League Final Series, A-League All Stars, W-League Final Series and all home inernationals for the Socceroos and Westfield Matildas (FFA). ... Barcelona's appeal against a one-year transfer ban imposed by FIFA for "breaking youth transfer rules" will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Dec. 5. CAS said that it will "give a fast-track verdict before the transfer window opens in January" (AP, 11/11). ... The Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) announced on Monday that first division side O'Higgins faces sanctions "after fans made racist chants and gestures during a first division match." O'Higgins fans "directed racist
abuse at Venezuelan striker Emilio Renteria, who plays for San Marcos de
Arica, at their home match on Friday, forcing the referee to halt play
for some minutes" (REUTERS, 11/10).
VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AMERICA: Two members of an Argentine fan gang died following a shooting between supporters of fourth-tier clubs Dock Sud and San Telmo. A 29-year-old fan of San Telmo was injured in the shooting, which occurred Monday night, and died Tuesday morning. Before that, a 28-year-old San Telmo fan had also been killed. One other victim "is currently receiving care at Hospital Piñero after being hit in the face by a rubber bullet" (DPA, 11/11). ... A fan of Venezuelan first division side Deportivo Lara "died of gunshot wounds presumably fired by police during a brawl between Deportivo Lara and Portuguesa fans," authorities announced. The incident occurred on Sunday and resulted in dozens suffering injuries (AP, 11/10).
