By John Solomon
How the government's punishing of the exposure of official wrongdoing can linger for years
). - Source: Wikipedia
UEFA has proposed tough sanctions against racism in soccer, including a minimum 10-match ban for players or officials found guilty of abuse.
They turned soccer stadiums into battlegrounds and then fought real wars.
FIFA's anti-corruption advisers urged president Sepp Blatter's executive committee on Friday to "demonstrate leadership" and resist attempts to dilute reforms of soccer's world governing body.
Organized crime gangs have fixed or tried to fix hundreds of soccer matches around the world in recent years, including World Cup and European Championship qualifiers and two Champions League games, Europol announced Monday.
The investigation by Europol, the European Union's joint police body, found 380 suspicious matches in Europe and another 300 questionable games outside the continent, mainly in Africa, Asia and South and Central America.
Mario Balotelli, a headline-grabber at the opposite end of his football career, finalized his switch from Manchester City to AC Milan for $27 million. Otherwise, there was plenty of speculation but precious little activity as the January window prepared to shut on Thursday.
Head-butts in soccer are bad. They are dangerous and can smash noses and cheekbones. Kids, don't try them at home.
This time a year ago, the race between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the world player of 2011 award wasn't a race at all, with the Argentine deservedly finishing as the runaway winner. Twelve months on, choosing between these brightest of stars in football's firmament is nigh-on impossible.
It's the final day of Euro 2012, with Italy and Spain going head to head for the cup. Follow the best of the action, photos and pre-match buildup here. Want to have your say? Contact (at)phillipsian and (at)simonhaydon via Twitter. All times are Ukrainian.
The ignoramus who scrawled "non sei un vero italiano, sei un africano nero" _ "You are not a true Italian, you are a black African" _ on a wall near the San Siro stadium in Milan. Did he, despite himself, leap off his sofa in delight when Mario Balotelli thumped home his goal for Italy with a powerful nod of his shaven black head and put their country into the final of Europe's top soccer tournament?
He put Italy in the European Championship final. He shamed the morons who have been making monkey noises at him because he is black. And he salvaged the honor of Europe's strikers, by making sure these Euros didn't set a new record for goal-scoring sterility. In short, self-proclaimed genius Mario Balotelli had an outstanding night to finally match his nickname, Super Mario.
Miraculously, even out here amid the belching smokestacks and coal mines on the furthermost eastern fringes of Europe, someone had the foresight to have a copy of Viva Espana cued up, ready to go. Good job, too, because they needed it.
UEFA says Italy's penalty shootout victory over England is likely to record the highest global television audience of any quarterfinal in European Championship history.
UEFA has charged the Spanish and Russian football associations for racist chants by fans at the European Championship.
UEFA has fined the German soccer association $31,200 after fans displayed a neo-Nazi flag at a European Championship match.
