Spanish second division side Real Zaragoza will announce at its annual shareholders meeting that it recorded a profit of €6.3M ($7M) in '15-16, "more than double the profit it made during the first season under new ownership." The club, which will present its accounts to an assembly on Dec. 19 or 20, spent €13.2M ($14.7M) and earned revenue of €19.5M ($21.8M) (AS, 9/22).
MARCHING ORDERS: Eredivisie side Willem II Tilburg midfielder Anouar Kali became "the first player in the Netherlands to get his marching orders" from the "video assistant referee" after his yellow card in a Dutch Cup tie against Ajax Amsterdam was turned into a red on Wednesday. Kali was "initially cautioned by referee Danny Makkelie for kicking Ajax's Lasse Schone in the ankle but the decision was changed within seconds into a red after intervention from the VAR." It was the first time TV assistance was "fully used in on-field decision-making" (REUTERS, 9/22).
'REFUSAL TO PLAY': UEFA has "opened disciplinary proceedings" against the Scottish FA after the country’s U19 women’s team pulled out of a European Championship qualifier against Serbia on Monday. The game was postponed after the Scots informed the authorities "that a sickness bug had hit nine players and eight members of the backroom staff." The SFA stated that a local doctor "confirmed the outbreak of gastroenteritis but that has not prevented Serbian media reports claiming the Scottish team were too affected by drinking to play after celebrating an earlier win against Albania." UEFA has charged the SFA with “refusal to play,” which is standard procedure when games do not go ahead. But the SFA is "hoping for understanding when its case is heard next Wednesday" (London GUARDIAN, 9/22).
Barcelona and the Johan Cruyff Institute have signed a collaboration agreement that includes, among other joint initiatives, the creation and launch of a Master in Football Business within the FCB Universitas platform. Students in the program will have the chance to get to know the football industry exclusively from the perspective of Barcelona, through visits, presentations, case studies and projects. Classes will be held at Barcelona HQ (Barcelona).
