Atlético Madrid "is carrying out an internal investigation to see what happened" on Sunday during a match between Atlético Femenino B and Torrelodones, in which a visiting player told Spain's Civil Guard that "someone tried to use a mobile phone to videotape or take pictures of her in the visitors' locker room" at Atlético-owned Cerro del Espino stadium. Atlético Head of Women's Football Lola Romero "met with the player to assure her that the club will do everything it can to find the possible culprit" (AS, 11/15).
The president of the Italian Referees' Association (AIA), Marcello Nicchi, believes Video Assistant Referees "could be officially introduced into Serie A within months."
Italy's int'l friendly with Germany at the San Siro on Tuesday "has been selected by FIFA as the latest game to trial video technology, with the experiment already in Serie A."
Nicchi said that the results from the first game, when Italy faced France in September, and from what he has seen in Serie A "have been positive, and he cannot see why VAR cannot be implemented fully in Italy" from '16-17. Nicchi:
"This is going to be a big night in which Italy is the protagonist of innovation" (ESPN.com, 11/15).
Italian national team coach Gian Piero Ventura "has asked league officials to start the Serie A season earlier next year to ensure the Azzurri are better prepared for their key World Cup qualifier against Spain." Spain tops Group G, above Italy "on goal difference after four games." Ventura:
"We're a bit set in our ways, but everyone else starts Aug. 13. It's in the national interest to play on level terms. I've already asked to play at least two more league matches. In a moment of madness I asked for three, but they told me to check myself into hospital" (ESPN.com, 11/15).
Saudi Arabia "has taken a step toward its goal to privatize the teams in its top football division, a move which has been tipped to revitalize the sport." The proposed privatization "would involve clubs in the Saudi Professional League, most of which are currently government-owned." The Council of Economic & Development Affairs recommended the move and "pledged to form a supervisory committee to oversee the privatization of the clubs" (ARAB NEWS, 11/14).
