The Spanish Interior Ministry on Tuesday issued concerns about potential problems at Estadio Sánchez Pizjuán, where La Liga side Sevilla will take on Bundesliga side Freiburg in the Europa League on Thursday. The Spanish Interior Ministry's State Commission Against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia & Intolerance in Sport declared the game a "high risk" event (INSIDE SPANISH FOOTBALL, 10/1). ... Journalist Guillermo Ibarra's book, "698: El Periplo De Gimnasia En La B" ("698: Gimnasia's Journey In The B [Division]"), which tells the story of Argentine first division side Gimnasia's stint in the Argentine second division, has been released (CLARIN, 9/30). ... Int’l players' union FIFPro “has called on the European Union to pressure FIFA into changing the transfer system which, it warns, is putting the careers of the majority of players ‘at the mercy’ of their employers.” Speaking at the EU Sport Forum in Lithuania, FIFPro board member Mads Øland said that “players' rights continued to be infringed and that a greater balance of power needed to be imposed” (INSIDE WORLD FOOTALL, 10/1). ... Greek football club PAOK "lodged an appeal against UEFA's decision to extend their home ban on fans to four matches following 'irregularities' during the UEFA Champions League play-off clash against Schalke" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 10/1). ... The FA of Singapore "has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the French Football Federation." Under the terms of the agreement, "both parties will work together to organise a series of regular exchanges and training stints involving coaches, referees and youth players" (STRAITS TIMES, 10/1).
