Move of the week

Martin Glenn – choosing @fizzer18 to end the era of “ill-judged attempts at humour”. Glenn’s vision last March: a promise to try harder after the FA “let down” women’s football in the past. “We’re now addressing these failings.”

• Last week’s key damage limitation lines:

a) Phil Neville clarifying that his sexist “historic social media comments” from 2011 “were not, and are not, a true reflection of either my character or my beliefs”. (Julie Neville’s line on her husband’s character and beliefs in 2015: “In 18 years he’s never made me a drink. He’s also never used a hoover, mop, dishwasher, or the washing machine.”)

The Lingerie Football League. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

b) Neville’s pledge to “help continue the growth of women’s football … I’m passionate about working with the women’s game” – two years after the hotel he co-owns hosted the launch of the Lingerie Football League – women playing in crop tops and hot pants. A petition accused the Class of 92 of exposing “women and girls to sexism and prejudice” and “to being viewed as sex objects, not sportswomen … It sets women’s football back at least 25 years.”

And c) The FA’s ethics team ruling that Neville’s tweets – including “Just battered the wife, feel better now!” – would not “meet the threshold for a charge” – seven months after they fined David Moyes £30,000 for telling a reporter: “You might get a slap, even though you’re a woman.” FA chairman Greg Clarke’s view on the Moyes case last year: “It’s doubly bad to use such a term against a woman because there’s a lot of violence against women in society. It was regrettable, distasteful, it showed a complete lack of respect. And we in the game stand for respect.”

Elsewhere: eyeing a comeback

Former Italy FA head Carlo Tavecchio, 74 – considering a run at the vacant Serie A presidency. Tavecchio, who resigned last year blaming “a press witch hunt” over his multiple financial crime convictions and public censures for racism, sexism and homophobia, told media: “If they call, I am ready.”

• Also new from the football family:

a) A leaked Fifa audit showing successful expenses claims from 2006 to 2015, including the late Chuck Blazer claiming $13,000 for a flight he didn’t take, and the son of Costa Rica’s late Isaac Sasso Sasso claiming $15,000 for an event his father didn’t go to.

And b) Brazil’s FA launching its new eight-module 2018 “football administration course”, with places costing £2,150. The FA, whose last three presidents all deny racketeering, says modules will include “good governance”, “leadership styles” and the role of “ethics in football”.

Other news: most responsible

Newcastle – removing casino sponsor Fun88’s logo from their youth team’s shirts as part of their commitment to avoid promoting financial irresponsibility to children. (Among the club’s previous best promotions: 2013’s “computer skills course for 14-year-olds”, in association with payday lender Wonga.)

Manager news

Makes moves last week:

a) Italy, 16 Dec: Serie B Pro Vercelli’s president Massimo Secondo, sacking coach Gianluca Grassadonia because “he had it in his head we could play tiki-taka. We can’t, obviously – and only I had the maturity to see it.” 22 Jan: Rehires him. “My respect for Grassadonia never died.”

b) Germany, 15 Jan: Hamburg CEO Heribert Bruchhagen, playing down public pressure on coach Markus Gisdol: “We’re well aware of our situation: it’s precarious again. But one thing is clear: our trust in Mr Gisdol is unlimited.” 21 Jan: Sacks him.

c) Brazil: Gama director of football Vilson de Sá, rejecting talk that sacking coach Carlos Alberto Dias after one game was rash. “He’s a good man and he has a good future. But that future is somewhere else.”

And d) Italy: Brescia coach Roberto Boscaglia, reflecting on being rehired by president Massimo Cellino three months after Cellino sacked him. “It feels like everything’s different here this time. It’s clear he really wants me.”

Linguist of the week

Turkey: Kayserispor’s Romanian coach Marius Sumudica, shouting at the Turkish press in Portuguese while hitting the table. “Referees make mistakes. So why no mistakes in our favour? Eh? The whole of Turkey can see it. I must be respected.”

Regret of the week

Argentina’s Independiente, failing to sign Atalanta’s Bryan Cabezas after “delays at the contract stage”. Reports claim the club used an online English translation tool which turned the player’s name into “Bryan Heads” throughout the paperwork; Cabezas signed for Avellino instead.

Worst misunderstanding

Spain: Yelko Pino, reacting after his loan at Cultural Leonesa was terminated over “grave online insults towards the club”. Pino said the video – showing him saying “I shit on shitty Cultural” – “did not reflect my true respect for the badge and the shirt. I consign this misunderstanding to the past.”

And saddest exit

Spain: Coach Onésimo Sánchez, leaving third-tier Toledo by mutual consent, two weeks after he reacted to his fourth expulsion in three seasons by telling local media: “I’ve had it up to my balls with all this.” Sánchez said he leaves “having always respected my detractors”; Toledo praised “Onésimo’s pure professionalism – and his magnetic personality”.