The Brazilian Supreme Court has ordered the "conditional release on bail" of Match Services CEO Ray Whelan, a British executive who was "arrested during the World Cup" and accused of heading a $100M ticket touting ring. Whelan, "a former agent for Bobby Charlton, still faces charges, but he will no longer have to wait for his trial in a Bangu prison cell in Rio de Janeiro, where he has spent the past three weeks." He "denies the allegations" (London GUARDIAN, 8/5). ... Romanian club Steaua Bucharest is one of four clubs ordered by UEFA to "close part of their stadium following racist behaviour from supporters." UEFA has "also sanctioned Hungary's Debrecen, FC Chikhura Sachkhere of Georgia and Slovenian club NK Maribor." The incidents all took place in Champions League and Europa League games last month (BBC, 8/5). ... Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Tel Aviv Owner Mitch Goldhar "spoke out vehemently on Tuesday against the recent racist chants directed at the club's midfielder Maharan Radi, while police announced that it would open an investigation regarding the latest incident." A handful of Maccabi fans "verbally abused the Israeli-Arab midfielder in the team’s training session at Kiryat Shalom on Sunday" (JERUSALEM POST, 8/6). ... The Philippines’ football team "has been rocked by a player revolt with two Azkals senior players refusing to suit up for American head coach Thomas Dooley." Midfielder Stephan Schrock and teammate Dennis Cagara "declared on social media this week they had played their last match under Dooley, amid speculation they were unhappy over a policy perceived to favour younger players" (AFP, 8/6).
