Close to 2,500 personnel including police and security guards will "provide security for Sunday's Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Sevilla at Madrid's Vicente Calderón stadium." Fans "will not be able to bring flags or other unconstitutional symbols, as specified by the country's Sports Law" (AS, 5/18).
Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Ángel María Villar, the "controversial" FIFA VP and "the man currently in charge at UEFA" following the sanctioning of Michel Platini, is "facing legal action at home" from rival RFEF presidential candidate Miguel Ángel Galán. Galan has filed a lawsuit in the Court of Instruction of Majadahonda against Villar alleging that he has "deliberately delayed the electoral process and in doing so has violated a ministerial order that is enshrined in Spanish law." Galan specifically calls for Villar to be "disqualified from public office and to be banned from standing for election -- which under this rule has a disqualification period of nine to 15 years" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 5/18).
The Ghana FA will benefit from a $5M financial package from FIFA for a four-year cycle. FIFA during its congress made a $3.4M increment to support each of its member associations for "football development." The Ghana FA will have access to $1.25M per year for "football projects such as pitches, competitions and women’s football" (GHANA WEB, 5/17).
