CONCACAF fined Liga MX side Toluca $5,000 on Tuesday for taping a Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes training session "before their second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals." The Earthquakes filed a complaint "alleging that Toluca filmed San Jose's training on March 18 at Estadio Nemesio Díez, the day before the match." CONCACAF ruled that Toluca broke the "FIFA Disciplinary Code for unsporting behavior and Fair Play" (ESPN, 4/1). ... Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals has backed out but Kolkata Knight Riders and GMR, the promoters of Delhi Daredevils IPL team, "have taken a plunge into the theatre of football." Both KKR and GM "have placed bids" for the Indian Super League which is scheduled to start in September. The bids "closed on March 27." While KKR is interested in developing a football team in Kolkata, its "second city choice apparently is Delhi." GMR "is looking to have a football team in the capital" (MUMBAI MIRROR, 4/2). ... Former Russia head coach Valery Gazzaev "has hit out at the lack of Russian football fans passing through the turnstiles to watch domestic Premier League games." To increase crowd levels at top flight football in Russia, Gazzaev believes that "the playing standard needs to be upgraded." Gazzaev: "The performances of the national team and Russian clubs playing in Europe needs to improve. This is fundamental and without it there won't be supporters, success, or financial security" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 4/2).
