Man of the week
Ken Bates – says he'll keep Leeds transparent. "It's no secret we would welcome new investors, but we are quite blunt about it – name and money. The moment you say that to them they all disappear." Ken's transparency highlights: • 2009: tells a court, contrary to a previous statement by his lawyers, that he doesn't co-own Forward Sports Fund, the company which bought Leeds in 2005, then bought them again in 2007 from administrators, minus the £35m debt, paying creditors 17p in the pound. Bates says in a sworn affidavit he's "unable to confirm" who the owners are; Forward say: "It is not the policy of this company to release such information, without an appropriate court order."
Quote of the week
Wei Di, the Chinese FA's general secretary, updating reporters on the systemic corruption and bribery scandal in Chinese football which has led to jail sentences for top officials: "I went to see Mr Blatter at Fifa. He was very understanding! He expressed his utmost confidence in us."
Argentina: monumental
2008: Blatter gives his backing to Fifa executive Julio Grondona's campaign for re-election as Argentina's FA president. Critics attack Grondona's 29-year reign for taking Argentinian domestic football into "financial and moral collapse". Election result: Grondona wins four more years. "I am led by my heart, and I thank God! My good work speaks volumes about me." Sepp says: "Julio is a monumental man."
2010: This year's highlights from Argentina's domestic season (given a delayed start last year due to an "unmanaged" debt crisis):
• Fan deaths averaging one a month from organised violence, with "barra bravas" gangs openly extorting cash from club officials in return for "non-aggression". Federal judge Mariano Berges leads a march demanding Grondona's resignation; fans claim FA policies give protection rackets free reign.
• Ultras at second division side Sportivo Italiano hold their squad up at gunpoint and steal their training kit. Club president says: "This is the worst event in my 15 years here".
• Boca Juniors defender Breyner Bonilla breaks down in tears on TV accusing Colon striker Esteban Fuertes of telling him: "I'm going to break your bones you f****** black shit, go back to Africa and die of hunger." (Fuertes: "At no point did I call him a black")
• Godoy Cruz's coach Omar Asad says he is "unresolved" after TV cameras caught his row with Tigre boss Ricardo Caruso during Tigre's 6-2 defeat: Caruso made cocaine snorting gestures, calling Asad "a fat f****** drug addict"; Asad called Caruso "corrupt" and "mental". Asad told reporters: "Caruso is a liar who deliberately slandered me. This isn't over."
Meanwhile
Peruvian FA president Manuel Burga says he broke a ban on leaving the country during an inquiry into alleged fraud because he was "cross". Burga, supported by Fifa in 2006 during a previous corruption inquiry, said: "There is this lust for sullying my name – it thrills them. Enough with it!" Congressman Reggiardo Barreto told CPN Radio: "Burga's FA has become a dark island where everybody does what they please."
And one to watch
Jack Warner, Trinidad opposition leader and Fifa transparency legend, given 28 days to respond to writs demanding £1.4m allegedly owed to businesses on the islands; reports claim the total could be as high as £4m. Warner denies wrongdoing and says his opponent, prime minister Patrick Manning, is "reviled". "He's the most wicked prime minister ever."
Disciplinary news
8 April: Gigi Becali says Steaua Bucharest will stay "gay free" after refusing to sign a player he later outed. "I have nothing against them, but I will never employ one." Previously called for gay people to be "kept in enclosures". No disciplinary action taken. 14 April: Becali suggests Dinamo Bucharest director Florin Prunea influences referees. Fined €36,000.
Text mess
Argentinian press say Boca captain Juan Roman Riquelme is "like famous Englishman John Terry", alleging he sent an "amorous text" to a team-mate's girlfriend. Reports claim Riquelme texted Luli Fernandez, who showed it to partner Pablo Mouche "causing a sensation". Riquelme denies wrongdoing; reports say Boca's dressing room "is on fire".
And finally
Flamengo's Adriano says he's leaving on-off girlfriend Joana Machado again after she entered talks over a nude Playboy shoot despite promising "to be more modest". Machado, accused last month of attacking Adriano's car with stones, had his name tatooed below her breasts last year. "I am branded! This is utter love."
