CONCACAF women’s day paves way for a big 2018 of competition
November 13 – CONCACAF, the confederation for North, Central America and the Caribbean, will hold its third annual Women’s Football Day on Saturday, November 18.
World Football
News analysis: Greek courts starts to unravel football allegations
By Lefteris Charalambopoulos
November 9 – An irreversible decision issued by the Council of Appeals Court Judges in Athens, Greece, charging 28 individuals of match-fixing, drops four charges against Evangelos Marinakis and puts an end to speculation and some wild allegations against the shipping magnate and owner of Olympiakos. It also raises questions about the depth of the malaise and infighting that plagues Greek football.
Samoura stands FIFA solidly behind Johansen despite Sierra Leone corruption indictments
November 9 – The bitter in-fighting over who runs Sierra Leone football has taken a remarkable twist with FIFA intervening to overturn a decision by the country’s national FA to remove Isha Johansen (pictured left) from her role as president – right in the middle of a court case in which she is charged with corruption.
Germany to join England in wearing poppy at ‘remembrance’ friendly
November 8 – England and Germany will wear black armbands bearing poppies for their friendly international at Wembley on Friday in remembrance of members of the armed forces, past and present.
Ahmad calms Guinea fears over 2023 AFCON hosting but warns there are always alternatives
By Samindra Kunti
November 8 – The president of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Ahmad Ahmad has reassured Guinea they are still clear to host the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
NZ women to achieve parity with men for international representation
November 8 – The New Zealand Professional Footballers Association has become one of the first national governing bodies to publicly state it is looking to achieve a single collective agreement with its players, providing equal conditions for men and women.
Germans sack video ref chief as VAR system shrouded in controversy again
By Andrew Warshaw
November 7 – The official in charge of video replays in the Bundesliga has been stripped of his role as opposition mounts against a system FIFA president Gianni Infantino is determined to use at the World Cup next year.
Nations League offers olive branch to non-UEFA nations for a global competition
By Andrew Warshaw
November 7 – Gianni Infantino’s recent observation that FIFA will be examining all its competitions to see how they best fit into the international calendar has taken an interesting twist with the disclosure that the new Nations League tournament could be expanded beyond Europe and be turned into an ambitious global event.
Carlos Cordeiro: the continuity candidate to takeover where Gulati leaves off?
By Paul Nicholson
November 3 – Carlos Cordeiro’s entry into the running to become the next president of the US Soccer Federation (USSF) could signify the reign of incumbent president Sunil Gulati is coming to an end after 12 years in charge.
No more Cosmos? NASL under threat after losing case against USSF to keep D2 status
By Paul Nicholson
November 6 – The North American Soccer League (NASL) has lost its court bid to retain its Division II status, putting the future of the league in doubt. The NASL has said it will appeal the decision.
Peru lament loss of striker Guerrero for Russia 2018 play offs against NZ
November 6 – Peru’s team doctor says strict controls on what they gave their players means that there was no way they could have administered the stimulant that led FIFA banning their captain Paolo Guerrero from two crucial upcoming World Cup play-off matches against New Zealand.
African coup? CECAFA’s Gafaar comes under fire from Uganda’s Magogo
November 6 – Reports in Africa suggest a coup is being hatched against Sirelkhatim Mutasim Gafaar. president of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA), Africa’s oldest regional football organisation.
Despite CHAN fiasco, Kenya hold hope of hosting U20 World Cup 2019
By Mark Baber
November 3 – Despite being stripped of the hosting rights for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) due to the failure to deliver on new venues, Kenyan officials have expressed hope the country will be chosen to host the U20 World Cup 2019, claiming to have the support of CAF.
Sierra Leone crisis forces women’s teams to be pulled from WC qualifying as cash frozen
November 3 – Sierra Leone’s women have withdrawn from both under-20 and under-17 World Cup qualifying as the crisis within the country’s troubled football federation deepens.
Weah’s bid for Liberian presidency on hold as elections suspended over fraud claims
November 3 – Former World player of the year and Ballon d’Or winner George Weah has had his bid for political power halted after Liberia’s supreme court ordered preparations for next week’s presidential run-off to be held up amid allegations of fraud in the first round.