Barcelona Financial VP Susana Monje has backed the idea of a European Super League, saying a new competition should be promoted "from a position where clubs are in control." Monje's comments "came amid growing speculation that clubs are considering a breakaway league" that would be outside the control of UEFA. She said, "We must promote a European league from a position where clubs are in control. Right now, we depend on organizations like UEFA or FIFA, whose management can be improved, and that is the clearest of objectives that the club must pursue" (ESPN, 3/16).
LIFE OF LUXURY: Disgraced former FIFA VP Jeffrey Webb has "kept up a millionaire lifestyle quaffing champagne, gambling and partying" while under U.S. house arrest awaiting sentence for corruption, according to FIFA. Last July he was "confined to house arrest" in N.Y. on a $10M bond. But within weeks Webb "was allowed to move home to Loganville, Georgia, albeit subject to electronic monitoring, home detention and a security detail." On Wednesday, FIFA's American lawyers complained in a letter to the U.S. attorney's office that Webb enjoys an "extravagant lifestyle" at a home he may have purchased "with bribes and kickbacks" (FIRSTPOST, 3/16).
4-NATION WORLD CUP? A "revolutionary initiative" could make Chile one of the host countries for the 2030 World Cup. Uruguayan daily La República reported Uruguayan FA (AUF) VP Rafael Fernández said, "We are going to make official to [FIFA President Gianni] Infantino our bid for the World Cup, with four host countries." He confirmed that Chile and Argentina could be added to his country's bid, and added that Paraguay could also be part of it. The proposal is expected to be turned in to FIFA on March 27 (AS, 3/16).
FOOTBALL BRIEFS ...
A number of players for Spanish second division women's club Cáceres were assaulted following Sunday’s game vs. Naranjo and two "had to be taken to hospital." One of the victims "spent 24 hours under medical observation due to the incident, although neither of those attacked suffered any serious injuries" (AS, 3/16).
La Liga side Deportivo de la Coruña on Wednesday announced that it will have a women's team starting next season. The club will begin competing in the Spanish second division in the '16-17 season. The agreement for the women's team -- which is a three-year partnership between Deportivo and Orzán -- was presented on Wednesday by Deportivo President Tino Fernández and Orzán President Juan Manuel Eiras (MARCA, 3/16).
La Liga side Espanyol will on Thursday unveil a "giant LED screen" that the club is calling "revolutionary." The screen, located on the exterior of the stadium, "aims to strengthen Espanyol's presence in the area surrounding the stadium." The "objective will be to display advertisements and corporate messages on the 8m high, 22m wide screen" (EL PERIODICO, 3/16).
