Wednesday's Champions League game against Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderón was Atlético Madrid's "last CL match at the Calderón." Some fans "wanted to take a reminder of the stadium with them, and brought their seats home." Missing seats "were significantly visible in the Fondo Sur section of the stadium" (AS, 5/11).
Russia increased spending on preparations for hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup by $81M, according to a resolution posted on the government’s legal information web portal. The expenditures on the program’s implementation were raised from $11.01B to $11.09B. According to the document, the expenditures include $6.12B of federal budget funds, $1.59B to be allocated from regional budgets and $3.38B to be provided by organizations (TASS, 5/10).
PFA Scotland CEO Fraser Wishart argued that the effectiveness of Scottish football's gambling rules "should be examined." Scottish FA regulations "prohibit players from betting on any football." Scottish League Two side Annan Athletic Chair Henry McClelland and Scottish Premiership side Inverness player Lewis Horner were this week charged by the national body with gambling offenses. Wishart: "We have to have an adult conversation regarding a number of issues relating to gambling" (BBC, 5/11).
Several members of the England Supporters' Travel Club have been banned by the FA after "unacceptable behaviour" during a friendly against Germany in March. During England's 1-0 loss in Dortmund, "some away fans booed the German national anthem and sang chants referencing World War Two." The FA "could impose more sanctions" (BBC, 5/10).
The Indian Super League "could see the addition" of three new teams next season. The eight-team competition, founded in '14, has "grown sharply in popularity and is now one of the top five best-attended leagues in the world." ISL organizer Football Sports Development Ltd. announced on Thursday that it is "inviting bids from prospective team owners" from 10 cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Cuttack, Durgapur, Hyderabad, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Ranchi, Siliguri and Thiruvananthapuram (SKY SPORTS, 5/11).
Liga MX side Puebla President Carlos López Domínguez said that he is "entertaining offers for the club." López Domínguez said, "The family is open to listening to options. We are not opposed to anything, there are offers, but we can openly say that if there are more, we will consider them" (LA AFICIÓN, 5/10).
La Liga on Thursday signed a deal with the Kenyan Premier League to "help develop football in the East African nation." La Liga President Javier Tebas said that the joint venture "will strengthen ties and help both confederations to learn from each other" (XINHUA, 5/11).
Former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Secretary General Jorge Pérez said that he wants Spain's Superior Sports Council (CSD) to force the RFEF to "comply with the law" in its presidential election process. Incumbent Ángel María Villar "was the clear winner" in elections held earlier in May. Pérez said, "I remain a candidate, but I do not recognize the result of this election (among RFEF assembly members)" (EP, 5/11).
