Hagi laments second 16-match ban for bone-breaking tackle
November 7 – A second Romanian player has been banned for 16 games for a reckless challenge in a domestic league game as the authorities crack down on foul play.
World Football
Milan looking for San Siro replacement in new ‘Milan quarter’
By Mark Baber
November 6 – On the same day as AC Milan lifted the Trofeo Luigi Berlusconi after a 2-0 victory against San Lorenzo of Argentina in the San Siro, it emerged that joint CEO, Barbara Berlusconi, is pursuing the concept of a new stadium for the Rossoneri – in the same neighborhood as the Casa Milan – to form a new “quartiere Milan.”
Romanian elbowed out with 16-match ban for violent play
November 6 – A Romanian midfielder has been handed an unprecedented 16-match domestic ban for fracturing the eye socket of an opponent.
Exclusive: Mayne-Nicholls says Nov-Dec 2022 must be a non-starter
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
November 5 – The man who led the official FIFA inspection team that evaluated the credentials of 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar says November-December must be ditched as a possible date for a winter tournament, warning it would cause untold chaos for the international calendar.
Gornik Zabrze puts 6 month deadline on stadium upgrade
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
November 5 – Polish construction company PB Dombud has won the PLN 20.5 million (€5 million) contract to modernise Gornik Zabrze’s stadium. The upgraded and expanded stadium will be increased to a capacity of 31,871 spectators.
SAFA call on fans to hand in illegal guns for Meyiwa tribute
November 5 – South African football authorities have called on fans to surrender their illegal guns following the recent fatal shooting of national captain Senzo Meyiwa that shocked the entire nation.
MLS TV viewing figures show rise on 2013, with new TV deal set to kick in
By Ben Nicholson
November 5 – MLS 2014 season TV viewership figures for ESPN show a slight rise from 2013, following the trend of increased attendance figures. However, excepting 2013, each year since 2006 has recorded more viewers than 2014, proving there is still much to do in terms of popularising the MLS on television.
Tel Aviv derby turns violent and is abandoned at half time
November 5 – Israeli football usually makes the news when linked to the Middle East crisis but television pictures flashed around the world of dreadful scenes during the Tel Aviv derby have plunged the domestic game into disgrace.
Nigeria: FIFA lift ban threat but crisis continues
By Mark Baber
November 4 – FIFA have lifted the threat to suspend Nigeria after the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan persuaded the two warring factions in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to seek a compromise. As part of the deal, the Chris Giwa faction withdrew their court case which had led to a ruling that the election of the FIFA-backed faction had been invalid.
Palmeiras endure a roller-coaster ride in Centenary celebration season
By Ricardo Setyon
November 4 – Currently in their Centenary season, Palmeiras is the Brazilian club with the most deeply rooted links to Europe. But its 100th birthday is proving an unhappy one as it battles out of relegation danger, conflict with contractors over its new stadium, and poor finances that require a continual bail-out from its owner.
CAF says Ebola is not an issue and gives new deadline to Morocco to rethink hosting
By Andrew Warshaw
November 4 – Amid an intensifying impasse, Morocco has been given a fresh deadline of Saturday to decide whether they will host January’s showpiece Africa Cup of Nations – with a final decision to be taken three days later by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Sydney drama sees Wanderers march to AFC Champions League victory
November 3 – The greatest night in Australian club football history was marred by intimidation on and off the pitch but none of it could dampen the spirits of Western Sydney Wanderers who became the first Australian champions of Asia on Sunday – not bad for a club making their debut continental campaign and which didn’t even exist three years ago.
UEFA slams home fan bans on Romania and Hungary, but away fans can attend
November 3 – UEFA has imposed partial stadium closure orders on both Romania and Hungary after their ill-tempered Euro 2016 qualifying tie – but the sanctions will not affect away fans.
CAF in urgent Moroccan talks over AFCON 2015 staging
By Andrew Warshaw
November 3 – A decision over when and whether to stage next year’s African Cup of Nations is imminent following urgent talks between African Football Confederation (CAF) officials and the Moroccan organisers who have asked for the tournament to be delayed or postponed because of the Ebola crisis that has claimed more than 5,000 lives.
RB Leipzig lines up stadium expansion as club wings towards Bundesliga 1
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
November 3 – RasenBallsport Leipzig has unveiled plans to increase the capacity of its stadium. Under the plan, the German club’s stadium will be increased 55,000 as the club targets promotion to the Bundesliga’s top tier and, ultimately, qualification for European competition, an ambition of its Red Bull owners.