Cisse questioned by police over Valbuena sex tape blackmail
October 14 – Former Liverpool forward Djibril Cisse is at the centre of a blackmail investigation in France having been taken into custody and then released.
France earmarks €37m to cement grassroots Euro 2016 legacy
By David Owen in Monte Carlo
October 14 – France is aiming to capitalise on next year’s European football championship, Euro 2016, to boost the number of grassroots football club members in the country by around 15%.
Belgium break through to top FIFA rankings and earn big-money friendlies
By Samindra Kunti
October 14 – Last night Belgium’s ascendency to the top of world football culminated in an unprecedented number one spot on the FIFA ranking with a 3-1 win over Israel in Brussels. The result also ensured Belgium will be seeded at the EURO2016’s final draw in the French capital in December. In November the Red Devils will face Italy in Kuwait in a friendly.
Dortmund tops Euro attendance table followed by Barca and Man Utd
By Paul Nicholson
October 14 – Fan attendances at top division matches in Germany, France and Spain have increased for the opening games of this season compared to last. But in Italy and France matchday attendances have dropped, according to data from Benchmark Sports, the data and analysis arm of KPMG’s Sports practice. Overall the ‘big five’ leagues have a combined attendance increase of 1.3%.
Race for FIFA House: New boss can only come from within the game
By Andrew Warshaw
October 13 – No candidates from outside football will be eligible under current regulations to become the next FIFA president despite growing calls, including from International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, for an external contender to be put in place to herald a fresh start after the worst corruption crisis in sporting history.
IFA heads into the heart of FIFA with Zurich conference
October 13 – Football business execs who want to experience the eye of the FIFA storm first hand should book a trip to the International Football Arena (IFA) conference in Zurich which will take place at FIFA House, November 19.
Police kill two in Somaliland as they fire into crowd after pitch invasion
By Mark Baber
October 13 – A regional football match between Awdal and Marodi Jeh at Haji Dahir stadium in Borama, Somaliland, quickly descended into violence on Sunday as a dispute over a penalty decision led to a small-scale crowd invasion and police responded with automatic weapons fire, reportedly killing one and injuring others, one of whom died of his wounds.
Euro support for Platini stutters as it emerges SFr2m contract was verbal
By Andrew Warshaw
October 13 – Revelations that Michel Platini had no written contract over the SFr2m Swiss francs payment that led to his provisional suspension threatens to cause a split among UEFA’s top brass when they meet on Thursday to discuss whether to continue supporting the Frenchman’s bid to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president.
Man Utd get ahead in the fashion game with New Era global deal
October 13 – While neighbours Liverpool have hired a manager (Jurgen Klopp) who has a penchant for wearing a baseball hat, Manchester United have gone a more pragmatic step towards conquering the baseball hat world by concluding a sponsorship deal the king of the baseball hat suppliers, New Era.
Pelé returns to India to encourage a football evolution
By Samindra Kunti
October 13 – After 38 years Brazilian football legend Pelé has returned to Kolkata to promote football in India. He will be the guest of honor at the Indian Super League match between Atletico de Kolkata’s and Kerala Blasters, and at the Subroto Cup Final in New Delhi.
Mihir Bose: Why Platini has turned out to be not quite so unique
Michel Platini has always presented himself as unique. That he was a unique footballer cannot be doubted although the fact that he could not guide his country to a World Cup win means for all his great achievements as player he will always remain to an extent the nearly man, not quite in the class of Franz Beckenbauer. But it is his role as administrator in the last decade that raises questions about why and how he was ever considered a football administrator in any way different to the less than reputable bunch who have governed the world game for so long.
FIFA and UEFA excos were kept in the dark over Platini payment
By Mihir Bose
October 13 – Sepp Blatter’s payment to Michel Platini of £1.35 million for alleged work for FIFA which is being investigated by the Swiss authorities was never declared to the executive committees of either FIFA or UEFA.
La Liga’s €650m TV share-out has leveled clubs, says Tebas
By David Owen in Monte Carlo
October 13 – La Liga has an unaccustomed look, with Villarreal’s Yellow Submarine having floated to the crest of the wave seven matches into the new season. And Javier Tebas (pictured) thinks he knows why.
MLS schedules 2016 trials for video refs
By Ben Nicholson
October 13 – The MLS has revealed plans to trial video refereeing for penalty and goal awards and red cards. The trial will take place in October 2016 and cover ten to 15 friendly fixtures.
FIFA ethics axe sharpened for Makudi as investigation opened
By Andrew Warshaw
October 12 – Former executive committee member Worawi Makudi has become the latest victim of FIFA’s anti-corruption crackdown after being suspended for 90 days by the ethics committee pending a full investigation.