UEFA open racism probes into Union Berlin and Sparta Prague incidents
October 6 – European governing body UEFA has opened investigations into racist behaviour from both Union Berlin and Sparta Prague fans in recent European club competitions.
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Aussie FA says it will act on complaints of sexual misconduct in women’s game
October 5 – Football Australia has responded to a report of indecent assault, sexual assault and an on-going toxic culture in the national team women’s game, saying that any formal complaint through the appropriate channels will be investigated.
US women’s soccer shocked to standstill over NWSL sexual harassment allegations
October 4 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), until last week a picture of positivity, progress and growth, has reacted swiftly to the multiple allegations of sexual harassment that resulted in the firing of North Carolina Coach Paul Riley but which senior players have said is also a wider league problem.
Super agent Zahavi charged in Belgium with forgery, fraud and money laundering
October 3 – Israeli football agent Pini Zahavi (pictured centre) has been charged in Belgium with forgery, use of forgeries, fraud and money laundering in relation to mismanagement at second-division club Royal Excelsior Mouscron, the federal prosecutor’s office said.
West Brom fan jailed for social media abuse. What a nasty buffoon
October 1 – In one of the first moves of its kind, a fan who was identified for online racial abuse of a player from English Championship club West Bromwich Albion has been jailed for eight weeks.
G20 agrees principles of its anti-corruption in sports mandate
October 1 – The G20 Anti-corruption Working Group, which for the first time includes sport as a specificity within its mandate, has reached consensus on the draft high level principles on Preventing and Combating Corruption.
Riley becomes third NWSL coach to fired for sexual misconduct since August
October 1 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side North Carolina Courage have dismissed their English head coach Paul Riley following allegations of sexual misconduct. He becomes the third NWSL coach to be fired for misconduct since August.
Brazil extends Caboclo ban from CBF for sexual bullying
September 30 – Rogerio Caboclo has been suspended as president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) until 2023 because of sexual and psychological harassment.
A gentle slap? FIFA sanction Hungary for monkey gestures, racist chants, and throwing objects
September 22 – Hungary have been handed a two-match stadium ban, one of them deferred, and been fined CHF200,000 by FIFA after England players were subjected to racist abuse in a World Cup Qualifier earlier this month.
Spanish judge orders UEFA to drop Real Madrid, Barca and Juve sanctions
September 21 – A Spanish judge has provocatively handed UEFA a five-day deadline to lift sanctions against Super League rebels Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus – or suffer the consequences.
Alonso takes anti-racism stand, but not the knee
September 21 – Marcos Alonso is no longer taking the knee because he believes the gesture is “losing a bit of strength”. Instead, the Chelsea player has opted to point at the anti-racism message on the sleeve of his shirt.
SIGA goes local with reform agenda and set up of SIGA America Advisory Board
September 16 – With SIGA’s Sports Integrity Week in full swing with over 100 speakers and more than 1,500 participants, it North American offshoot, SIGA AMERICA, has announced its high-level senior Advisory Board.
No return. CAS upholds former Brazilian and FIFA boss Teixeira’s life ban
September 15 – Ricardo Teixeira’s life ban from football has been upheld after the Court of Arbitration (CAS) dismissed his attempt to overturn it on appeal.
Al-Sabah jailed by Geneva court for forgery in Kuwaiti political plot
September 13 – Olympic powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, once a major player at FIFA, has been sentenced to at least 13 months in prison after being found guilty of forgery.
Van der Sar warns players will walk-off if governing bodies don’t get tougher on racism
By Andrew Warshaw
September 8 – Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar has warned that players will “take matters into their own hands” in the fight against racism if governing bodies don’t do enough to stamp it out.