Scottish Professional Football League CEO Neil Doncaster is "facing the ignominy of being recalled to the Scottish Parliament to explain his evidence on national minimum wage." SNP MSP James Dornan requested Doncaster be invited back to Holyrood "after apparent contradictions in statements made to politicians and Record Sport." Doncaster told a meeting of the public petitions committee on Dec. 22 that "any clubs not paying national minimum wage is a breach of SPFL rules that would be investigated." However, a week earlier, the SPFL said in a briefing document that "failure to comply with national minimum wage legislation was not against their rules." Doncaster’s claims he did not know about players signing £1 ($1.20)-a-week deals until he read them in the Daily Record "have also raised eyebrows" (Scotland DAILY RECORD, 1/16).
League One side Oldham Athletic confirmed it has had its "transfer embargo lifted." The club has been under embargo since November over a £300,000 ($361,560) bill with HM Revenue & Customs and "money owed to other football clubs" (SKY SPORTS, 1/16).
A-League side Newcastle Jets fans have "escaped serious injury after being crushed on top of each other when a McDonald Jones Stadium fence broke" during a goal celebration. The incident "occurred right on halftime in Sunday's 2-2 draw with the Perth Glory, when Jets winger Andrew Nabbout scored to take a 2-1 lead and raced over to celebrate with active supporter base The Squadron." But the separating fence "collapsed under the weight of enthusiastic fans, with some worryingly trapped underneath other bodies." No one "suffered serious injury during the incident" (AAP, 1/15).
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has reportedly pleaded guilty to defrauding the Spanish tax authorities of almost €1M "by concealing part of what he earned from image rights during his time at Barcelona." Europa Press reported Sanchez "appeared via video link from London at a court in the Catalan city on Monday to plead guilty to the charges and add that he hopes to avoid going to trial" having already paid back €983,443. The public prosecutor's office initially filed the complaint against the Chile int'l after "suspecting he had filed fraudulent tax returns" in '12 and '13 while still a Barcelona player. While Sanchez may not have to stand trial, his defense team "will have to negotiate a fine with the Spanish tax authorities -- on top of what he has paid back -- and he may also be handed a minimal prison sentence" (ESPN.com, 1/16).
Palestine FA Chair Jibril Rajoub said that there will be "no deal to legitimize" six Israel settlement-based football clubs. In an interview, Rajoub "spoke about the six settlement clubs, the international peace conference in Paris, and internal Palestinian reconciliation." He said, "Settlement clubs are totally against the statutes of FIFA, human rights, and a clear-cut violation of UN Security Council resolutions -- there will be no compromise on this issue." The PFA has long maintained that the settlement clubs, which are part of the Israel FA, "are in violation of FIFA bylaws because they are located in what the international community considers occupied territory" (JPOST, 1/15).
Sales of junior season tickets in the English Football League have "risen by 37% in the past 10 years, according to new figures." The EFL said that 20% of all fans attending matches in the Football League "are now aged under 16." The increase has been "credited to clubs improving the matchday experience for families" (BBC, 1/16).
Former football coach Barry Bennell has "pleaded not guilty to eight charges of sexual assault against a boy under 16." The former youth coach at League Two side Crewe Alexandra "denied the eight counts when he appeared at Chester Crown Court." The charges "all relate to allegations of abuse" between '81 and '86 (BBC, 1/16).