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Creating Chances highlights the good work done by top-flight clubs in the heart of their communities. £45m was spent last year by the Premier League supporting initiatives that benefited an impressive 4.5m people. This funding also benefits clubs outside of the top-flight via the Football Foundation, projects like Kickz, and schemes encouraging sports participation and healthy lifestyles.

An MP has today tabled a bill in Parliament calling for total transparency on club ownership and an end to the “football creditors rule”. The Football (Financial Transparency) Bill has been introduced by Damian Collins MP who sits on the influential Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.

The next meeting of the Football Supporters’ Federation’s Southern Division will take place on Sunday 11th March (12 noon) at Southend United’s Roots Hall (SS2 6NQ). Click here for Google Maps or here to download the full agenda/detailed directions.

If you were unlucky enough to suffer three displaced vertebrae and concussion you’d expect some sympathy from the ref, no? Well not in the Belgian amateur leagues. Despite it being pretty apparent that Julien Lecomte was injured the ref concluded he was, in fact, a big cheat and whipped out the red card…while Lecomte was on the stretcher receiving medical treatment.

UEFA president Michel Platini has admitted the pricing structure for the 2011 Champions League final was “a mistake”. European football’s governing body has dropped prices for the 2012 final after meeting with Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the body which represents fans across the continent. The Football Supporters’ Federation is an affiliated member of FSE.

The European Union’s Court of Justice (ECJ) has backed Yahoo! in a court clash with Britain’s biggest football leagues. The internet search giant argued that it should not have to pay for the right to publish British fixture lists. European judges agreed and said that “a football fixture list cannot be protected by copyright when its compilation…leave no room for creative freedom”.

The Amalgamation of Official Northern Irish Supporters Clubs (AONISC) are keen to hear from fans on this side of the water who have experiences of ground redevelopment and new stadiums. The Irish FA (IFA) officially recognises the AONISC as the voice of Northern Irish supporters and the two groups are to meet soon to discuss the redevelopment of Windsor Park (left).

2012 could be a game-changer for football in England and Wales with the Government threatening legislation in Parliament if the professional game does not wake up to its problems regarding “governance”. In October the Government gave the game until February 29th 2012 to come up with the answers.

Register today: [email protected] event open to fans of ALL clubs

Maccabi Haifa v Dynamo Kiev isn’t a regular fixture on football’s calendar so the odds on it producing one of the year’s strangest moments must be pretty long. But produce it did. During a training match between the two clubs Maccabi Haifa goalkeeper Assaf Mendes manages to score a truly freakish own goal.

We’re offering five lucky fans the chance to get their hands on a pair of free VIP tickets for the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy between Chesterfield and Swindon Town at Wembley on Sunday 25th March. That’s right, free tickets for you and a friend.

The Football League is holding a formal consultation process on the use of artificial playing surfaces. The Football League said they have an “open mind” on the issue and have invited individual fans to contribute to the process.

Many fans have experience of being in a sparsely populated away end but we’re betting no FSF members can match Santa Cruz fan Tiago Rech. He was the ONLY fan in the away end at his club’s 4-1 defeat to Grêmio (that’s Brazil by the way). "When I got in I realised it was just me and four police. But it was worth it. When we scored I didn’t care I was alone. I screamed and went for it."

The “local promotions” rule will be familiar to many away fans of Football League clubs who feel their loyalty is often exploited. On four occasions per season clubs are allowed to charge away fans more than home fans and this week it’s the turn of Hereford United fans to lose out.

The FA yesterday launched a brand new five-year action plan to tackle homophobia in football. FA bosses have pledged full support to Opening Doors and Joining In and said they want to raise awareness and promote inclusivity within the game.

Fans in Hull were given the opportunity to see the Safe Standing Roadshow in all its glory before last Saturday’s home game against Bristol City. The visit was organised by Hull City Official Supporters’ Club (HCOSC) with the co-operation of the stadium management company and the full support of the club’s fanzines – Amber Nectar, City Independent (CI), and Vital Hull.

Apologies in advance for inflicting a video of the preening God of Self-Love Cristiano Ronaldo but you have to admit he’s some player. Even if that admission comes through gritted teeth and a bout of nausea. This absolute corker was Ronaldo’s sixth hat-trick of the season, his 27th goal of the campaign, and Real’s 4,000th Liga goal at the Bernabeu.

Belgian group Fan Coaching has won the 2011 European Football Supporters Award (EFSA). Fan Coaching is a non-profit organisation based in Liege which campaigns against violence in sport. The EFSA comes with a €6,000 prize and has UEFA’s backing.

Spectacular backheel goals seem to be sweeping the world. Last week Bolivia’s Erlan Mealla was at it with an absurd scorpion kick and now it’s the turn of Genoa’s Rodrigo Palacio. The Argentine was facing Lazio when he pulled this off. Did he mean it? Maybe. Have we watched it repeatedly and still not worked out exactly how he does it? Definitely.

The next meeting of the Football Supporters’ Federation’s Southern Division will take place on Sunday 5th February (12 noon) at Southend United’s Roots Hall (SS2 6NQ). Click here for Google Maps or here to download the full agenda/detailed directions.