The FA will not be "permitted to lay a wreath to mark the 30th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster" when England plays Italy in a friendly in Turin on Tuesday. Representatives of the FA "had planned to commemorate the deaths of 39 supporters before the 1985 European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus." Juventus said it "appreciated the gesture." However, it does not want to "detract" from its own planned memorial in May (BBC, 3/29). ... Israel has been "warned" by UEFA President Michel Platini that it "faces possible suspension from all FIFA and UEFA activities." The head of the Palestinian Football Federation Jibril Rajoub is "pushing to suspend Israel" for its treatment of Gaza athletes and limiting their freedom of movement, therefore breaking int'l agreements. Platini said that "'this time it is serious' and that several countries would side with the Palestinians against Israel 'even if you are right'" (I24NEWS, 3/27). ... Brasileiro side Atlético Mineiro received a R$292,375 ($90,150) fine from the Federal Public Ministry of Minas Gerais state "for the irregular sale of half-priced tickets for the match against Cruzeiro" during the 2014 Copa de Brasil. By law, students and those aged 60 or older "should receive a discount for events of artistic culture, sports and leisure, in which they pay 50% less than face value," which did not happen during match in '14 (LANCEPRESS, 3/28). ... Despite the fact that Brasileiro side Corinthians has a debt of R$313M ($96.8M) and "is late on payments to players and the technical committee," President Roberto de Andrade "will not let go of the most expensive players in Brazil." Andrade: "We won’t sell players to pay the debts. We're maintaining a strong group so we can win titles" (ESTADÃO, 3/30).
