Blurred lines: man of the week
Ed Woodward – reporting his first sacked manager to New York traders, nine months after defining what makes United different: "We are a football club. We are not a business. The way I describe it to staff is: 'We are a 135-year-old club and that's what you have to remember. A club with a capital C: Club.'" United's core value: "Making sure [business and football] coexist - and don't impact each other."
• Also backing the Man United Way – January, Sir Alex Ferguson: "I never understand why clubs change managers so quickly … It seems so stupid. United will [stand by Moyes]. You don't even need to go down that road. Everybody knows what Manchester United is – it's absolutely 100%. Manchester United have always been that way."
Plus: moving on
URL tweak of the week: Before - manutd.com/welcomedavidmoyes. After - sorry.manutd.com/errorRedirector.html
Other news: best clarification
Michel Platini, providing an update on Uefa's pledge to drive "greed, recklessness and financial insanity" out of football. Platini: PSG's sponsorship deal with Qatar is "innovative", and no club breaking fair play rules will be suspended. "If you are expecting blood and tears, you'll be disappointed."
Meanwhile: no-nonsense
Fifa's Jérôme Valcke, weighing up reluctance from Brazilian cities to spend public money on exclusive Fanfest trade zones for Fifa sponsors. "They have to do it, there is no choice. It's not something we are asking for, it has to be. I hope the cities are listening."
PR news: toughest ask
Barclays – facing protests over £9bn bonuses and tax havens; but also helping fund grassroots sport hit by the loss of public funding. David Wheldon, Barclays' Director of Brand, Reputation, Citizenship & Marketing: "This season Barclays is saying thank you to community heroes across the UK."
Manager news
Last week's other moves:
• Italy, 13 January: Livorno president Aldo Spinelli sacks coach Davide Nicola, calling his side "flat and gutless". 19 April: Rehires Nicola after sacking his replacement. "We needed something new."
• Germany, 30 March: Nürnberg sporting director Martin Bader defends coach Gertjan Verbeek. "He's a top coach … he has not been treated with respect." 24 April: Sacks him.
• Brazil: Atlético-MG president Alexandre Kalil, taking responsibility for the bad press that followed his decision to invade a pitch and call a referee a "thieving son of a bitch gangster" – sacking coach Paulo Autuori for "poor performance".
War on racism news
Peru: Real Garcilaso, fined last month after fans aimed monkey noises at black players, fined again for using an image of a monkey on their website to represent their next opponents. Garcilaso say the image was inserted by "cyber-criminals … we disclaim responsibility".
Row of the week
Romania: Dinamo Bucharest teenager Dorin Rotariu – replacing his agent Ioan Becali, jailed for fraud, with Anamaria Prodan, wife of Steaua manager Laurentiu Reghecampf. Dinamo say Rotariu must terminate his links with "Steaua leeches"; Prodan says Dinamo are displaying "boundless stupidity". Rotariu: "I'm just interested in football."
Normal news
Bulgaria: Levski Sofia striker Valeri Bojinov reflecting on the crowd violence that forced an abandonment, with fans seen stripping players. "The fans asked us to strip. I think it's normal. They were very disappointed."
Let-down of the week
Bolivia: Specialists analysing viral footage from a Copa Libertadores match after viewers reported seeing a ghost in the stands, running at "supernatural speed" between seats. Local press: "After studying images, it was established: this ghost was just a person."
• Previous best ghost inquiry: October 2012, digital specialists analysing images of a ghost celebrating a goal at Porto's Estádio do Dragão - "a figure in clothes from another era" – and finding it was "actually an old person". Press: "There is no ghost of Dragão."
Tribute of the week
Romania: Gigi Becali, a seven-year-old boy from Bechet, on being christened in tribute to Steaua's jailed owner. "I love school and football and want to own a club like Mr Becali. I hope he gets out of prison soon so we can go fishing together."
Purpose of the week
Paraguay: Football model Larissa Riquelme launching her 2014 World Cup product range, including Brazil-themed adult toys and a signature perfume, Revelación by Larissa. "We've made 1,000 bottles … God has a great purpose for my life."
Plus: love news
Argentina: Rocío Oliva, 23, admitting an "impasse" in her romance with Diego Maradona after he alleged she stole jewels worth £250,000. "He gave me gifts, and I gave them back. It's sad, but this love isn't over. Our chances of getting back together? I give it a 3 out of 10."
