Tempers fray as racist insults and bite accusations mar French Ligue 2 match
October 19 – A French second division player has denied biting the cheek of an opposition goalkeeper, declaring instead that he had been racially abused.
World Football
Ceferin warns English that unity is key to progress, whether financial or beating Covid
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin speaks exclusively with Paul Nicholson
October 16 – “In March when the pandemic started we united to save the season. Some didn’t understand that if we aren’t united we are weaker,” says UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. The record shows that the season was impressively saved, but with the rate of covid infections spiking, in some European countries alarmingly, there is a need for more saving.
Germany’s DFB counters fraud claim saying a deal had already been done with tax office
October 16 – The German football federation (DFB) has claimed that it has already paid 2019 taxes related to advertising income after reaching an agreement with tax authorities. Six DFB officials are currently under investigation for tax evasion.
EFL emphasises ‘unity’ as it turns down Premier League’s £50m covid bail-out
By Paul Nicholson
October 16 – English Football League (EFL) clubs have rejected the £50 million offer for financial support from the Premier League following the collapse of the ‘Big Picture Project’ proposal that would have seen them receive a £250 million covid bail out.
Neville and Bernstein lead call for independent football regulator in England
October 16 – A group including former FA chairman David Bernstein, former England defender Gary Neville (pictured), former FA executive David Davies and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham have called for government to intervene in the game and set up an independent regulator.
Argentina sets end-October date for return of club competition
October 15 – Domestic football will resume in Argentina at the end of October after the game shut down in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia has announced.
Denmark dump England, Portugal win without Ronaldo, Italy pay tribute in Bergamo
October 15 – Christian Eriksen’s penalty on his 100th appearance for Denmark earned his side a 1-0 upset win over England in their Nations League clash at Wembley on Wednesday as the hosts ended up with nine men.
Napoli lose four points for their covid-excuse no-show at Juve
October 15 – Napoli have been handed a 3-0 defeat by Italian football authorities and docked one point for not showing up for their high-profile Serie A match at Juventus because of Covid-19 positive cases.
Ceferin plans for fans at Euros, but contingency to drop number of host cities exists
October 24 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the Euro finals, postponed until 2021 because of Covid-19, could be played with fans in stadiums across Europe but admits other scenarios are being explored.
Trinidad court rules against FIFA and hands control of suspended TTFA back to Wallace and crew
By Paul Nicholson
October 14 – A Trinidad and Tobago court has ruled that FIFA’s replacement of the board of the Trinidad and Tobago FA by a Normalisation Committee in March was illegal and that FIFA’s statutes are inconsistent with local law that formed the TTFA in 1982.
Neymar beats Ronaldo and aims at Pele record as Brazil power past Peru; Argentina fly high
By Samindra Kunti
October 14 – Neymar moved past Ronaldo to become the second highest all-time goal scorer in the Brazil shirt after scoring a hat-trick in a 4-2 World Cup qualifying win against Peru. In La Paz, Argentina laboured to a 2-1 victory over Bolivia to maintain a perfect record.
Tunisian FA chief Jary puts himself forward for CAF presidency
October 15 – A second candidate from Tunisia has potentially emerged to challenge for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Positive test rules Ronaldo out of Sweden game and Juve’s Champions League openers
October 14 – Cristiano Ronaldo has become the latest player to test positive for the coronavirus. The Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement on Tuesday, saying that Ronaldo is “well, without symptoms, and in isolation.”
Macclesfield down but not out as Smethurst buys assets and Savage joins board
October 14 – At last positive news for Macclesfield Town who were relegated from the EFL’s leagues last season via a points deduction and were yesterday expelled from the fifth tier National League.
Peru forced to reshuffle frontline for Brazil World Cup qualifier as strikers test positive
October 13 – Peru’s Raúl Ruidiaz (pictured) and Alex Valera have tested positive for the coronavirus, ruling both strikers out of their World Cup qualifier with Brazil on Tuesday.