Spartak Moscow fans "unfurled a banner" in response to the BBC's documentary, Russia's Hooligan Army, in which England fans were warned they are "100 percent guaranteed" to be targeted at the 2018 World Cup. The banner, which was "displayed during Spartak's 1-1 draw at Lokomotiv Moscow on Saturday, branded the BBC the 'Blah Blah Channel'" (ESPN.com, 3/20).
La Liga on Sunday announced the "expansion of its presence in Asia by
opening an office in Singapore." The league plans to "increase its popularity in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam." La Liga President Javier Tebas will "open the Singaporean office on March 23, the league's fourth office in Asia after Dubai, China and India" (
MALAYSIAN DIGEST, 3/20).
Croatia will play to its first full home crowd at a competitive match in almost two-and-a-half years this week, in a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. Hooliganism "meant fans were banned from several home matches" -- the last time Croatia had a full home crowd was in a 6-0 win over Azerbaijan in Oct. '14 (REUTERS, 3/20).
Ghanaian referee Joseph Odartei Lamptey has been banned for life by FIFA "after being found guilty of influencing the result of a World Cup qualifying match." Lamptey incorrectly awarded a penalty during a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup between South Africa and Senegal in November (London GUARDIAN, 3/20).
