Scottish clubs were handed a Christmas present when the SFA said they would be making an extra £500,000 available for handouts.
Arctic weather conditions have decimated the card in recent weeks, denying clubs income from home games, but the financial blow is to be softened by the SFA who have sanctioned a 50% increase in discretionary payments.
Stewart Regan, Scottish FA chief executive, said: “The board has recognised the difficulties clubs are facing in a harsh financial climate.
“We feel that this gesture, at this time of year, will show our member clubs that we are committed to them and their ongoing prosperity.”
Hoops at odds with Green Brigade
Celtic have warned the Green Brigade that Parkhead could be closed if they continue to stand during games. The club urged fans to remain seated during matches claiming that the stadium’s safety certificate was at risk.
However, the warning is effectively aimed at the ‘ultras’ section of the Hoops support known as the Green Brigade who provide most of the noise at home games.
A spokesperson said: “Celtic Park is designed specifically as an all-seater stadium. Persistent standing is a real safety risk and could ultimately result in the Safety Certificate, which is required to open the stadium, being revoked.”
Rovers boss full of praise for Kean
Blackburn’s Indian owners are confident caretaker boss Steve Kean has the drive to match their own lofty ambitions for the club.
Poultry firm Venky’s, who bought Rovers in a £43m deal last month, sacked manager Sam Allardyce this week, claiming he was not the man to take them forward.
Former Celtic player Kean, 43, has a good coaching reputation within the game and turned down the chance to take over as manager at Kilmarnock last summer.
Venky’s chairperson Anuradha Desai said: “This is a guy who is hard-working, who loves the team and is very motivated. We have to think positive and this man is very positive.”
Kean was brought to Ewood Park as first-team coach by Allardyce last year.
Bologna set for takeover
Massimo Zanetti, boss of coffee brand Segafredo, is poised to save Bologna from bankruptcy by purchasing a 100 per cent stake in the Italian club, chief executive Silvino Marras announced yesterday.
The board of directors will meet to approve the deal today.
The fee has not been disclosed.
Bologna were on the brink of bankruptcy and had not paid their players for four months, leaving them free to sign for other clubs.
They have already been docked a point in Serie A for failing to pay tax on their players’ salaries and risk losing another two points for not paying their players.
Mancini makes Tevez plea
Roberto Mancini will remind Carlos Tevez when he meets him today for talks that together they can become Manchester City legends. The Italian manager is anxious to lead the club into the Champions League next season and they are on course to do just that.
Mancini wants Tevez to remain his talisman and forget any thoughts about moving after the Argentinian striker handed in a transfer request that was promptly rejected.
The Blues boss said: “This is an important season for us. We can change the history of the club. We have this group and Carlos is an important player for us.
“I hope he stays here. Together we can work well this year. I think we can always change our mind. I don’t think he is really unhappy. But maybe there is another reason.”
Bayern set to swoop for Everton’s Baines
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich look set to swoop for Everton’s England left-back Leighton Baines to help solve their defensive problems, it was revealed yesterday.
According to German magazine Kicker, the 26-year-old, who has won two caps for the Three Lions, is a Bayern target and the German giants want to try and bring him to Bavaria in January’s winter break.
Having made his England debut this year, Baines was left out of Fabio Capello’s World Cup side, but he would be a good option to solve Bayern’s problems down the left flank with Germany star Philipp Lahm at right-back.
The deal could be worth 10 million euros.
Betting probe on player dismissal
Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings is under the spotlight after the Scottish FA confirmed that the red card he picked up against Hearts at Fir Park on Tuesday is subject to an investigation by the Association of British Bookmakers.
The ABB are probing irregular betting patterns surrounding the dismissal of Jennings who, after being booked in the early stages of the 2-1 defeat for a foul, was shown a straight red card seven minutes from time after speaking to the ref about a rejected penalty claim.
Several bets were put on a red card being dished out in the clash at Fir Park, including one from a new account opened in Liverpool, where a £500 bet was placed at odds of 10/1.