Football Notes: Olympique Lyonnais Releases Teaser For Alex Morgan Web Series
Olympique Lyonnais released a teaser for its “web series” starring U.S. women’s football player Alex Morgan, who was recently signed by OL’s women’s team. Morgan has 2.85 million Twitter followers and 4.6 million Instagram followers, giving OL access to a large audience. The “window into the U.S. international’s life” will help the “OL brand” expand to the American market. The series will air once a week and be called “RDV with Alex Morgan” (SPORTBUZZ BUSINESS, 1/30).
Scottish Premiership side Celtic supporters, known as the Green Brigade, have donated £176,000 ($221,600) to two Palestinian charities. The donation "was crowdfunded in reaction to a UEFA fine over Celtic fans flying Palestinian flags at a match." Although UEFA forbids political displays at football matches, in August Celtic fans "went on to fly a mass of Palestinian flags" during the first leg of the team's Champions League playoff match against Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva. UEFA went on to fine Celtic £8,619 ($10,850) for the fans' display, which called for support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel (RT, 1/31).
Ligue 1 side Lille responded to the display of a "sexist banner" during its victory over Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday by "offering free entry to female supporters." A Lyon supporter held a large placard during the first half at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais suggesting that "women who attend football matches should instead be at home." On one side, the banner "showed a silhouette of a man with an arrow indicating 'stadium.'" On the other was a woman’s silhouette pointing to the word "kitchen." Lille tweeted, "Ladies, with us you are welcome," with a poster "parodying the Lyon fan's banner" (London INDEPENDENT, 1/31).
League One side Bolton Wanderers players "have not been paid this month." The club has had "regular issues with paying its staff on time over the past 18 months." Wages for the Bolton players "were due to be transferred to banks at midnight" on Tuesday. At the end of November, it was revealed that staff at Bolton "were fearing for their jobs amid another financial crisis at the former Premier League club" (London DAILY MAIL, 1/31).
