Man City go cashless with tappit for fan events in UK and Asia
October 18 – Manchester City have agreed a deal with cashless experts tappit, who becomes the Club’s Official Events Cashless Payments Partner.
Platini sues FIFA for ‘criminal conspiracy’ over $2m payment that brought him down
By Andrew Warshaw
October 17 – His critics may describe his actions as verging on paranoia but banned former UEFA chief Michel Platini remains steadfast in his attempt to clear his name and prove he was the victim of a plot engineered by former FIFA officials.
Iran lets women in to Azadi Stadium to watch Bolivia friendly
By Samindra Kunti
October 17 – In a rare move Iran allowed women to attend Team Meli’s friendly with Bolivia on Tuesday in Tehran. Women have been banned from watching football in the country since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Madagascar win qualifies them for their first AFCON finals
October 17 – Madagascar have qualified for their maiden African Cup of Nations finals after defeating Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in Vontovorona. They will be joined in Group A by Senegal and north African powerhouses Egypt and Tunisia for the 2019 finals.
Turkish prosecutors call for 12-year jail term for Barca’s on-loan bar brawler Turan
October 17 – Turkish prosecutors have charged Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan over a brawl with a well-known Turkish pop singer and have called for a jail sentence of 12 years.
Bookies looking for sponsorship edge could see boost for club shirt deals
By Paul Nicholson
October 17 – A self-imposed broadcast advertising ban by bookmakers on pre-9pm ads could drive UK betting sponsors and their marketing money back to clubs and drive up the value of premium shirt sponsorship positions.
Foul-mouthed Mourinho charged by FA for abusive language
October 17 – As if any extra spice were needed when Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho returns to his former club Chelsea for a crunch fixture this coming weekend, Mourinho has been charged over comments he made in Portuguese to a television camera after his side’s recent win over Newcastle.
Mutko muscled back in? RFU website declares him president
October 17 – Has he made a comeback after all? According to the website of the Russian Football Union, Vitaly Mutko has regained the RFU presidency despite reports that he had been overlooked because of his alleged role in the recent doping scandal.
New US pro-league NISA shakes off the covers with first team announcement
October 17 – The US will likely have more than one third tier league in 2019 with the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) announcing that Connecticut will have team, though the club’s specific location, ownership and team name will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Ronaldo lawyers claim documents fabricated but Der Spiegel sticks to its story
October 17 – The German magazine which broke the story of a rape allegation made against Cristiano Ronaldo says it stands by its report despite the player’s lawyers describing the claims as “complete fabrication.”
Continental re-treads its Chinese FA national team sponsorship
October 17 – Germany’s Continental Tires has extended its sponsorship with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and its national teams.
Saudi Arabia’s Man Utd ambition is just one part of a geo-political football power play
By Paul Nicholson
October 16 – FIFA for $21 billion or Manchester United for $4 billion? When you have $1 trillion, why not buy both? The Saudi Arabian determination to acquire their way to controlling positions in world football’s biggest brands knows no bounds – and football, like business, generally doesn’t discriminate when it comes to money.
Germany’s Niersbach and Zwanziger cleared of tax fraud in 2006 cash for votes scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
October 16 – Two ex-presidents of the German FA, Wolfgang Niersbach (pictured left) and Theo Zwanziger (pictured right), plus former general secretary Horst Schmidt have won a landmark legal case after a Frankfurt court rejected tax evasion charges against them saying there was insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.
Belgian match-fixing scandal sees 20 charged on criminal offences
By Samindra Kunti
October 16 – Local authorities have charged 20 suspects in the corruption scandal that has engulfed Belgian football. Agents Mogi Bayat and Dejan Veljkovic, FIFA referees Bart Vertenten and Sébastien Delferière, and Brugge coach Ivan Leko are among they key suspects. Charges range from money laundering and criminal organisation to bribery.
European Parliament session to focus on child trafficking in football
October 16 – The European Parliament is to host a high-level session in Brussels tonight to tackle the growing problem of child trafficking in sport, primarily focusing on football.