League Two side Accrington Stanley Chair Andy Holt criticized Premier League clubs "over the amount of money they spend -- prompting a robust response." Holt said that the Premier League's actions "filter down to adversely affect clubs in the Football League," which he said was "like a starving peasant begging for scraps." The Premier League responded: "We will be writing to Mr Holt to ask him if he wishes the Premier League to continue the support we currently provide for his and other clubs in the EFL" (BBC, 5/10).
Scottish football's relationship with the betting industry "came under fresh scrutiny" when it emerged that the
chair of a League Two club and a Scottish Premiership player had been "
charged with gambling offences." Henry McClelland of Annan Athletic has been "issued a notice of complaint" after being accused of placing more than 4,000 football bets since July '11. It is claimed that 550 "involved his own club, four of them against it." Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Lewis Horner is "also facing charges by the game's governing body." He is alleged to have "placed hundreds off wagers, some against his own club" (
LONDON TIMES, 5/10).
CONCACAF signed a memorandum of understanding with the Asian Football Confederation in Manama, Bahrain. The MOU formalizes the cooperation between CONCACAF and the AFC, while establishing a framework to strengthen collaboration (CONCACAF).
South Korea's K-League will "introduce a video review system earlier than scheduled following a series of missed calls by referees." The league originally planned to adopt the video assistant referee system for the first division K-League Classic on July 22, but "it decided to implement the system three weeks ahead of schedule" (YONHAP, 5/10).
The AFC announced Malaysia "lodged an appeal against having to play an Asian Cup qualifier against North Korea in Pyongyang." The FA of Malaysia made the appeal after the AFC announced on Monday that the match would be played in Pyongyang on June 8. Diplomatic relations between the two countries "were strained over the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam -- the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un -- at Kuala Lumpur airport in February" (AFP, 5/10).
