Ceferin draws line under Champions League political favours
October 21 – New UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has given the biggest hint yet that a bidding process will be put in place for staging UEFA’s major club finals.
World Football
Gabon show their CAF credentials at AFCON 2017 draw
By Samindra Kunti
October 20 – The hosts Gabon have been handed a favorable draw for the 2017 African Cup of Nations alongside Cameroon, Burkina Faso and the debutants Guinea-Bissau in Group A. Group B has been dubbed the group of death, comprising Algeria and Senegal, two of Africa’s strongest teams.
Djibouti breaks new ground with Super Cup final played outside the capital
October 20 – History was been made in Djibouti this week with the first official football final being played outside the capital. The 35th edition of the Djiboutian Super Cup was hosted at the sports complex in the Ali Sabeih region.
Traffic’s former US boss Davidson poised to change his plea to guilty
By Andrew Warshaw
October 19 – Yet another of those arrested in the US-led corruption probe into football corruption has agreed to plead guilty. Agency reports citing court papers say Aaron Davidson, who headed Traffic Sports USA, the Miami-based business of Brazilian sports marketing group Traffic, is due to enter his plea on Thursday.
Gambian refugee Manneh opens his goal account in Bundesliga
October 19 – As footballing stories go, few are more uplifting. Two years ago, Gambian refugee Ousman Manneh fled his dictator-led country, leaving behind his entire family, to seek asylum in Germany.
UEFA roll out ‘No to Racism’ campaign across top club matches
October 18 – UEFA’s ‘No to Racism’ campaign is again under way with the backing of star names, top clubs and – for the first time ever – the Women’s Champions League.
Clarke stands ground as parliament accuses FA of ‘institutional failure’ over Allardyce
October 18 – The English Football Association has been accused of “institutional failure” by a group of parliamentarians for failing to conduct proper due diligence into Sam Allardyce, the England manager who lasted only 67 days and one game in charge following a newspaper sting that led to him stepping down but which he described as entrapment.
Bahamas warms up for Beach World Cup hosting with CONCACAF finals
October 17 – Bahamas, host of the 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup, will also host the 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship. That competition will qualify two teams to the World Cup finals, alongside hosts Bahamas.
UEFA hints at cash support for leagues hit by CL rule changes
October 17 – European leagues unfairly disadvantaged by the controversial revamping of the Champions League could receive special financial aid from UEFA to offset the three-year deal that favours the Continent’s most affluent clubs.
First Copa America, now Copa Libertadores? US touted as venue for club final
By Samindra Kunti
October 14 – The lure of the US for the South Americans seems unabated by the multiple arrests and pending trials of more than 30 of their federation executives on corruption charges. Regional confederation CONMEBOL is considering a one-legged final of the Copa Libertadores, with the US as a possible venue.
France’s Ligue 1 fails to build on Euros with club attendances dropping
October 14 – After eight match days the French top flight Ligue 1 has attracted almost 5% less spectators than last season. The downward trend is worrying for French football that had hoped to build on the success of Euro 2016 in terms of attendances to club matches.
Atlantic League talks back on as UEFA’s CL revamp starts to backfire for real
By Andrew Warshaw
October 14 – Talks about an Atlantic League featuring clubs from Scotland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Sweden – first floated over a decade ago – are back on the table, seemingly in response to UEFA’s decision to revamp the Champions League in favour of Europe’s biggest clubs.
From hero to villain: FIFA investigates lifesaver-turned-throat-cutter Aurier
October 14 – Paris St-Germain and Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier is being investigated by FIFA after appearing to make a throat-slitting gesture to supporters during last weekend’s 3-1 win over Mali.
Bad boy Aurier saves life, now he needs to work on saving his career
October 13 – Paris Saint-Germain and Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier has been praised for saving the life an opponent during a World Cup qualifier last weekend.
Roger Blanpain, FIFPro founding father and champion of player rights, dies aged 83
October 13 – At the age of 83, Roger Blanpain, one of FIFPro’s founding fathers and its first president, has passed away in Leuven, Belgium.