Evra banned after seeing red for kicking fan before start of Europa League tie
November 3 – It must rank as one of the most bizarre as well as earliest and contentious sendings-off in history.
World Football
Jordaan denies rape claims and says that law court must decide truth
November 1 – South African Football Association President Danny Jordaan has broken his silence over rape allegations against him, denying the accusations are true.
Somalian FA to build its first permanent HQ
November 1 – War-ravaged Somalia is celebrating the prospect of having its own federation premises after having operated in rented offices for over half a century.
Net closes on Sierra Leone boss Johansen, charged with 10 counts of corruption
October 31 – Isha Johansen, Africa’s only female football federation president, pleaded not guilty when she appeared in court Monday charged with 10 counts of corruption and abuse of office.
Jordaan rape allegations: SA justice minister says victims must make official report
October 31 – South Africa’s Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha says he cannot act on claims of sexual assault against South African Football Association chief Danny Jordaan unless they are reported officially by the alleged victim.
Cologne hit with €60K fine by UEFA after fans outgun Arsenal security preparations
October 31 – Cologne have been fined €60,000 by UEFA after crowd trouble marred their Europa League group match at Arsenal in September.
Sweden’s Dalkurd flies flag for Kurds worldwide as it breaks into top tier
October 30 – Kurdish fans around the world may not have a national team but they are nevertheless celebrating after Swedish club Dalkurd won promotion to the country’s top division after existing for just 13 years.
Kenya postpones league fixtures as political tensions mount in country
October 30 – All Kenyan Premier League games scheduled for last weekend were postponed because of political tensions in the country, and provisionally rescheduled for November 14 even though that is earmarked as part of an international week.
Sierra Leone’s Johansen steps down from FA while corruption investigation on-going
October 26 – Embattled Sierra Leone FA president Isha Johansen has been set aside by her own executive committee while she is investigated by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ruling also extends to the body’s secretary general Christopher Kamara.
Egypt reject CAF invite to play in Morocco at reorganised 2018 CHAN finals
October 25 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says it has yet to receive any official notification confirming Egypt’s withdrawal from the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Kiribati Islands fight the rising tide and prepare for ConIFA World Cup 2018
October 25 – FIFA is not the only football body to face problems with a flooded pitch. But in India FIFA could switch venue and city for its U17 World Cup semi-final between Brazil and England. In Kiribati they don’t have that luxury.
Barca’s Bartomeu says Catalan club will stay in La Liga
October 24 – Placed in the most delicate of diplomatic situations, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club wishes to continue playing in La Liga even though it backs Catalonia’s drive for self-determination.
Lazio Ultras graffiti Stadio Olimpico with anti-Semetic stickers
October 24 – Italian police and football authorities have opened an investigation into reports that Lazio fans left anti-Semitic stickers and graffiti, including images of famed Holocaust victim Anne Frank wearing a Roma shirt, during last weekend’s Serie A match against Cagliari.
Police investigate Belgian/Dutch battle of Bruges fan violence
October 24 – Belgian police are investigating a serious outbreak of fan violence caused by Belgian and Dutch fans which left a policeman with a broken jaw and led to 120 arrests.
UEFA hits Spartak Moscow and Roma with sanctions for racism
October 23 – UEFA has ordered the partial closure of Spartak Moscow’s stadium for their next European home match as punishment for the latest outbreak of racist behaviour by supporters, this time towards Liverpool striker Bobby Adekanye during a Youth League match last month.