Norway's footballers signed an equal-pay agreement that will see all int'l senior male and female players "paid the same wages." The women's team will receive a pay raise of 2.5M kroner ($394,500), meaning that as of next year, the sides will be paid 6M kroner ($946,700) each, the Norwegian FA confirmed. Norway's male players "agreed to take a wage cut to help achieve parity," with the £44,739 ($59,600) they previously received from commercial activities "directed to the women's team" (London INDEPENDENT, 12/15).
Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) President Marco Polo del Nero was suspended by FIFA's ethics committee on Friday, a move that "could bring him closer to facing trial" in the U.S. on charges of racketeering and money laundering. Del Nero was banned for 90 days from all football activities. The suspension "can be extended for a further 45 days while the ethics committee's investigatory chamber carries out a formal investigation" (London GUARDIAN, 12/15).
Raheem Sterling was allegedly "attacked and racially abused" as he arrived at Man City's training ground on Saturday in preparation for the club's game against Tottenham. The England int'l was believed to have been kicked and branded a "n-----" by a man who appeared to be waiting for the 23-year-old at the players' entrance of Man City's football academy training base, according to sources (London TELEGRAPH, 12/16).
