Kenyan prosecutors drop case against FA boss Mwendwa
November 26 – In response to threats of a ban by FIFA, Kenyan authorities have dropped their legal case against the president of Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Nick Mwendwa (pictured).
World Football
Flamengo and Palmeiras in Montevideo for all-Brazil Copa Libertadores showdown
By Samindra Kunti in Montevideo, Uruguay
November 26 – After a two-month wait, ups-and-downs and a defeat looming like a major end-of-season crisis, Palmeiras and Flamengo, two super clubs at home, will crown the 2021 Copa Libertadores winners in an all-Brazilian blockbuster.
Conmebol scrap away goals rule with immediate effect
November 26 – Following in the footsteps of European governing body UEFA, Conmebol will scrap the away goals rule from its competitions with the aim of introducing greater sporting ‘justice’.
The iron fist of democracy. English football heads towards government-imposed regulator
November 25 – English football has taken a step closer to being regulated by a government-backed but independent overseer whose powers could include taking control of failing clubs from their owners.
Liverpool and France tap in to the power of African playing talent, finds report
November 25 – Africa has for some time been a provider of playing talent to clubs outside the continent. With the Africa Cup of Nations kicking off in Cameroon in January next year, a report by the KPMG Football Benchmark team examines how significant their contribution has been.
Benzema found guilty of sex-tape blackmail and handed 1-year suspended jail term
November 25 – France and Real Madrid star striker Karim Benzema (pictured) has been found guilty of conspiring to blackmail a fellow French footballer with a sex tape. He has been sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term and fined.
European Parliament looks to nail breakaway European Super League coffin shut
By Andrew Warshaw
November 25 – The European Parliament has voted to oppose breakaway sports competitions following football’s aborted Super League project that collapsed within just 48 hours of its launch in April amidst a backlash from fans and governments.
Brazil’s Serie A considering $1bn offer for 20% stake, reports
November 25 – Brazilian clubs are contemplating a billion-dollar investment from private equity in a bid to take control of their own league.
Sports minister warns crowd violence is threatening ‘survival’ of French football
November 24 – France’s sports minister Roxana Maracineanu (pictured) says repeated crowd trouble at Ligue 1 matches is putting the very survival of French football at risk.
Billionaire Pereira takes over as first female president at Palmeiras
November 23 – On the eve of the Copa Libertadores final, Palmeiras have elected Leila Pereira as their new boss, the billionaire businesswoman becoming the first female president in the club’s history.
Bayern threaten wage cuts for unvaccinated as Covid spike forces partial stadium closure
November 22 – The Europe-wide protests against new Covid restrictions have spilled over into football with Bayern Munich reportedly having informed their unvaccinated players that they will have their salaries cut during periods when they have to go into quarantine.
Cameroon ready for AFCON 2022 as anticipation builds for African showpiece
November 22 – Despite the usual pre-tournament noise, all systems are go for Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations. It has been a tournament that has been wobbling on the brink.
Lyon-Marseille game abandoned after Payet hit by bottle
November 22 – Despite attempts by French football authorities to crack down on fan violence, yet another damaging incident hit the country’s top-flight league on Sunday when the Lyon-Marseille fixture was abandoned after Marseille forward Dimitri Payet was hit by a bottle thrown from the stands a few minutes after kick off.
The long goodbye: Man Utd end the wait and fire Solskjaer. Poch up next?
November 22 – Even managers with legendary status are not immune from being sacked when they fail to progress or deliver silverware.
Cameroonian club boss slams FIFA and Infantino for ignoring CAS rulings and preventing football development
By Paul Nicholson
November 19 – FIFA has again come under attack for its political maneuvering in Africa, this time from a leading club president in Cameroon who has criticised the world governing body and its president Gianni Infantino for manipulating federation politics, and ignoring rulings made at CAS.