Professional Footballers' Association Scotland CEO Fraser Wishart challenged the Scottish FA to introduce rules specifying that member clubs "must have playing surfaces fit for purpose." The SFA helped fund the PFA's season-long survey of its members, who were asked to rate the pitches of Scotland's 42 senior clubs on a weekly basis. Wishart "would welcome the SFA including pitch maintenance" as part of its licensing criteria (LONDON TIMES, 6/5).
Cyber security is the "biggest security concern" for the Socceroos at the World Cup held in a country described as "a haven for hackers." It is understood specialists have been consulted and are overseeing the Socceroos' cyber security throughout the duration of the tournament. Their measures "hinge on protocols" set by Australian and U.K. federal agencies. For security purposes, national team staff "would not divulge specific details of their counter-measures." It is understood that "military-grade cyber security technology" is being used throughout the team's stay in Russia (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 6/6).
UEFA punished Serie A side AS Roma, La Liga club Athletic Bilbao and the Russian Premier League's Spartak Moscow for fan violence during the Champions League and Europa League. Roma was "handed a two-match ban" on its supporters at away games, with the suspension for the second match deferred for a probationary period of two years. UEFA also fined the Italian club €50,000 ($58,500). Bilbao and Spartak were sanctioned for fan violence during their round-of-32 Europa League tie in Spain in February, which resulted in the death of a policeman (REUTERS, 6/5).
Pep Guardiola was dismissed from Man City's CL quarterfinal second leg against Liverpool.GETTY IMAGES
Man City Manager Pep Guardiola was banned for two matches by UEFA on Monday after being found guilty of "communicating with his staff despite being sent to the stands" in his team's Champions League quarterfinal second-leg defeat by Liverpool. UEFA's Control, Ethics & Disciplinary Body said that Guardiola's suspension for one of the matches was "deferred for a probationary period of one season" (REUTERS, 6/4).
Sports data specialist Genius Sports signed an integrity agreement with the FA of Indonesia (PSSI) "to safeguard its competitions from manipulation." Genius Sports and the PSSI will "work together to combat match-fixing in football, with the provider supplying a range of integrity services including its monitoring technology and educational workshops" (GAMING INTELLIGENCE, 6/5).
