FC32 takes control of Cobh Ramblers on mission to build a playing talent pipeline
October 22 – League of Ireland club Cobh Ramblers has been bought by fledgling multi-club ownership group FC32 for an undisclosed sum.
Divide and conquer: Infantino uses Spanish players’ union meet to show he does care
October 21 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists player welfare “remains a priority” despite top European leagues and players’ union Fifpro filing a legal complaint to the European Commission against the world governing body.
DFL sets November date for retender of all broadcast rights
October 21 – Germany’s DFL will relaunch its domestic media rights tender on November 25 after a nine-month delay, aiming to finalise deals for the 2025-2029 cycle.
Barca agree 5-year deal with Mali’s Africa Foot to develop players
October 21 – FC Barcelona has announced a five-year partnership with Africa Foot, a second-division Malian club, to support the ‘technical and behavioural’ development of its players in a huge leap forward for Malian Football.
LFP condemns PSG fans for homophobic chanting
October 21 – The French football league (LFP) has condemned homophobic chanting by a section of Paris St Germain fans during Saturday’s win over Strasbourg.
Norberto de Castro cleared to challenge Artur de Almeida e Silva for Anglola FA presidency
October 21 – Norberto de Castro will stand against incumbent president Artur de Almeida e Silva (pictured) in the elections of the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) after the electoral commission confirmed his eligibility.
Coaching duo Cleber Xavier and Tite to part company
October 21 – After a 24-year-long partnership, Brazilian manager Tite and his assistant Cleber Xavier have parted ways with the latter choosing to pursue his own managerial ambitions.
Bekloppt? Mainz fans angry at Klopp’s new Red Bull gig
October 21 – Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has been criticised by fans of one of his other clubs, Mainz, for his decision to join energy drinks company Red Bull and oversee its international football network.
Rexona agree 3-year deal with Saudi women’s team
October 21 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has announced a three-year partnership with Unilever’s Rexona, making the brand an official sponsor of the Saudi Arabia Women’s National Team.
CAF refuses to account for missing $16m of expenses
October 21 – African football has been hit by further scandal after auditors looking at the books of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) discovered missing expense claims.
Irish sports minister calls for more Euro 2028 game in the Republic
October 21 – Irish Culture and Sports Minister Catherine Martin said that she would like to see more matches of the joint-hosted 2028 European Championships be hosted in the Republic.
FIFA in raptures as Messi (and his team) qualify for their unloved Club World Cup
October 21 – No Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, AC Milan or Arsenal, not even Atletico Madrid. The Club World Cup is without five of the biggest and most supported clubs in the world. But it does now have Lionel Messi… and his five-season-old club Inter Miami who have been give a wild card entry into the tournament.
NWSL vs LigaMX. Inaugural W Champions Cup reaches semi-final stage
October 21 – The inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup has reached the semi-final stage with two Mexico vs USA match-ups and the final and third place match to be played at a centralised venue in May 2025.
Ex-player adds to growing list of women abused by for Fulham-owner Al Fayed
October 21 – Mohamed Al Fayed who owned Fulham, and the luxury department store, Harrods, has been accused of sexually assaulting the former captain of the women’s team, Ronnie Gibbons.
New management and new sponsors. Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna move on from Nikolov era
October 21 – Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna have signed two new sponsorship deals despite the financial instability surrounding the club after former owner Pavlin Nikolov decided to step down and stop funding the team.