Ligue 2 side AC Ajaccio officials “have finally managed to gather the missing pieces” of its financials in order to “consolidate its project and avoid relegation.” Having remained in Ligue 2 last season by a single point, the club was “relegated to France’s third-tier National temporarily” because of financial reasons by French football’s financial oversight authority the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG). The club announced on Twitter: “The DNCG verdict has come down: maintaining the club in Ligue 2 has been confirmed for the 2016-2017 season” (L’ÉQUIPE, 7/13).
SUPPORTER BAN: Greek Super League side Panathinaikos will play its first home game of the new season "behind closed doors as punishment for crowd disturbances in a playoff match last season." The Super League disciplinary committee on Wednesday "handed down the punishment, which was related to incidents during the second match of the playoffs against PAOK Salonica on May 15." The league said that the punishment, which also includes a fine of €61,750 ($68,606), was the result of "the behaviour of the fans, as well as their abusive slogans" (REUTERS, 7/13).
FOOTBALL BRIEFS ...
Trinidad and Tobago FA President David John-Williams was hit with a demand for $300,000 from Metro Hotel Ltd. on Tuesday as he "enters the final lobbying phase in his bid for the Caribbean Football Union presidency." The "controversial candidate is already under fire within his own federation" for spending TTFA funds on his presidential campaign without its knowledge or approval. The claim from Metro Hotel Ltd. is that the TTFA "is owing the hotel money for accommodation and hospitality services" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 7/13).
FIFA said that there is "no longer any threat" of Uganda being banned for government interference following a meeting involving representatives from all parties. A warning was issued in June when the Federation of Ugandan FAs was being asked to "sign as a trustee with the government." FIFA Manager of Member Associations Luca Nicola said, "We are happy the government has agreed not to interfere and will work for the development of football in the country" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 7/13).
