Some 30 hooded Ukrainians with knives "are reported to have set upon England fans in a Kiev coffee shop" ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier. Three Britons "were taken to hospital following the incident" Sunday night (London INDEPENDENT, 9/9). ... FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell "offered news on Sunday night regarding the permanence of Barcelona's road 'Senyera' uniform, at least while the current regime is in charge." Rosell said, "The shirt is very pretty. The rate of sales is impressive and it will be the team's third shirt starting next season and we will keep it for as long as we are on the board of directors. The away uniform will change but we will keep the 'Senyera' as our third shirt or for special games" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 9/9). ... Serie A Juventus Dir General Giuseppe Marotta "has underlined how crucial new stadiums could be for the re-birth of Italian football." Top Serie A sides "are lagging behind their European rivals in terms of generating revenue, with council-owned arenas seen as a significant handicap." Marotta: "It's essential Italian football undergoes reform, beginning with stadium facilities, most of which are currently in disrepair" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 9/9). ...
Arsenal CCO Tom Fox said that the Gunners "will get more satisfaction from winning trophies than big-spending Premier League rivals such as Chelsea and Manchester City due to the club's financial model." Fox said victory will be "sweeter" when the club's eight-year trophy drought ends as it "will not have been powered by the funds of a mega-wealthy owner" (London EVENING STANDARD, 9/9).
