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.
World Football
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.
Doors closed on Legia appeal of fan ban for Real Madrid game
October 13 – UEFA have rejected Legia Warsaw’s appeal against a Champions League stadium ban meaning the Polish club will have to play Real Madrid behind closed doors on November 2.
Copa Libertadores revamps with addition of 6 more teams for 2017
By Samindra Kunti
October 12 – Brazil will be the biggest winner of CONMEBOL’s decision to expand its top club competition, the Copa Libertadores, by six teams. Brazil will have two more representatives in the expanded competition, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.
From dark to light. Tite’s Brazil return to top World Cup qualifying table
By Samindra Kunti
October 12 – Brazil have moved top of the South American qualifying group for the Russia 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Venezuela. Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and Chelsea’s Willian were on target.
Tebas re-elected to lead Spain’s La Liga for second term
October 12 – Outspoken Spanish league president Javier Tebas, who has refused to condemn third party ownership despite widespread opposition to the practise, has been handed a second four-year term.
Small town America is developing a passion for professional football
By Paul Nicholson
October 10 – For the regular season just finished, the USL, the third tier of the US professional leagues, hit record aggregate attendances of 1.5 million for the season, a 40% increase on previous years. But it is not just attendances that are growing for this challenger league in the US.