July 27, 2022
The brief from today:
Palomino faces lengthy ban
A random drug test was performed by Nado Italia during Atalanta’s preseason preparation, and unfortunately one player tested positive for a banned substance. Defender, Jose Palomino, was suspended from training camp once it was confirmed that nandrolone was discovered in his bloodwork. The Argentine now risks being banned for two years if it is discovered that he took the banned substance unintentionally, and up to four years if intentional. There were also traces of metabolite clostebol in the blood sample, an anabolic steroid sometimes found in healing creams. The player, and the team, were said to be shocked by the findings, and he has been given the opportunity to respond. The general consensus, due to his positive reputation at Atalanta, is that any consumption of these substances was unintentional, and Palomino is currently working with his lawyer to address the matter. Apparently part of that approach will include running checks on his partner and daughter’s blood to see whether they all used a similar product containing the banned substances. A court case hasn’t been scheduled, but it will be at some point after the summer, and it is there that the ruling will be made on Palomino’s immediate future.
Palomino faces a lengthy ban
Bordeaux granted reprieve
Following a report that the French Olympic Committee had advised the French Football Federation against relegating Bordeaux to the third division from Ligue 2, more news has arrived today. The Federation has indeed accepted the recommendation of the Olympic Committee, and agreed to grant Bordeaux a place in Ligue 2 for the 2022/23 season. The root of the problem—Bordeaux’s €40 million deficit—will seemingly be alleviated in a convincing manner as far as the authorities are concerned. Bordeaux’s initial demonstration to the French financial watchdog, DNCG, wasn’t sufficient. Adjustments have been made, however, and now they have displayed to the relevant parties their ability to resolve their financial woes. Part of the solutions they reached for their debts included: a restructuring plan with their creditors that received judicial approval, a capital increase of €10 million from club owner, Gerard Lopez, and player sales of €14 million. The DNCG will still be auditing Bordeaux’s finances this season despite the favorable decision, but for now the club are ensured a place in Ligue 2, which kicks off this weekend.
Bordeaux confirmed for Ligue 2
UEFA to allow standing at matches
Following the recent announcement in England that some stadiums will be permitted to have safe standing areas, UEFA has now followed suit. The Standing Facilities Observer Programme was announced today for the upcoming season, and will allow standing during UEFA men’s club matches. For now, however, this will be restricted to England, Germany, and France. The objective is to initially monitor the use of standing facilities, that up until now, have primarily been used in the aforementioned countries’ domestic matches. If deemed to be safe, the goal will be to outline a plan to implement the changes throughout all UEFA competitive matches. Initially standing will be permitted in all home matches in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, but the respective finals will be the exceptions. During each match where standing is occurring, UEFA will have independent experts assessing the situation, especially from a safety standpoint. When the season concludes, the findings will be shared with the UEFA Executive Committee, who will then have the final say on whether safe standing areas will be officially permitted
UEFA targeting some changes in stadiums