SPFL turnover rises to record £44.3m
October 7 – The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has reported a significant financial boost, with its 2023/24 turnover rising by £2.4 million (6%) to reach a record £44.3 million.
French fans critical of Mbappe for putting club before country
October 7 – Rarely out of the news, French superstar Kylian Mbappe is facing criticism for skipping Les Bleus’ Nations League games against Israel and Belgium while still being available to play for Real Madrid.
Palestine FA put their faith in the FIFA’s Ethics bodies to achieve a ‘just outcome’
October 6 – The Palestine Football Association (PFA), which has lost pretty much every political battle with its Israeli neighbours in the football politics arena, have nevertheless ‘welcomed’ the FIFA Council’s decision to refer their case to FIFA’s Ethics bodies.
TIM exits Serie A but dials in Milan double with Inter sponsorship added to AC Milan deal
October 7 – Reigning Serie A Champions Inter Milan have announced a new partnership with TIM, which will see the broadcast provider become the club’s Official Telco Partner.
US Soccer revenue tops $200m as commercial revenue grows rapidly to $110m
October 7 – For nearly 20 years the fortunes of US Soccer from a commercial and marketing standpoint were tied with SUM (Soccer United Marketing), the MLS-owned agency. That deal officially ended on December 31, 2021, when the US Soccer Federation (USSF) moved their operations in-house, although they did not take full responsibility until the start of 2023.
Dead man walking? Another seven days of not enough from Ten Hag?
October 7 – There are two jobs in English football that are simply the ‘impossible jobs’. One of course is to be the England National team manager, and the other…the hot seat at Manchester United.
Concacaf’s Central American and Caribbean Cups reach semi-final stage
October 7 – Concacaf’s two regional club cup competitions in Central America and the Caribbean have now reached the semi-final stages with the two-leg ties scheduled for the end of this month.
The end of an era? Is Gary Lineker’s MOTD tenure a wrap?
October 7 – Gary Lineker, former England striker, and face of football for the BBC for the last 25 years, is rumored to be on his way out of being an integral part of England’s media landscape.
FIFA kicks potential landmark ruling on Israel’s suspension into the rubble of Gaza
October 4 – Just when it looked like FIFA might finally take a giant courageous leap by siding with the Palestinian cause in the Middle East, procrastination was again the name of the game.
RFEF sanctions Atletico with partial stand closure and €50K fine for Madrid derby chaos
October 4 – The Spanish Football Federation have punished Atletico Madrid with a partial stadium closure for three matches. They have also been handed a fine of $50,000 after crowd trouble halted Sunday’s La Liga game against city rivals, Real Madrid, for almost 20 minutes.
Mbappé tops value ranking at €230m as Real Madrid squad value hits €1.37bn
October 3 – A new set of updated player valuations, this time from Football Benchmark, has put Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé at the top of the most valuable player list at €233.3 million, almost €34 million higher than Erling Haaland.
River Plate look to raise $20m from fans to fund infrastructure
October 4 – Argentinian club River Plate have announced plans to raise $20 million through a public offering in a financial vehicle that will invest the money in the club, potentially introducing a new investment approach for Argentinian football clubs.
PSG’s Joao Neves tops ‘chance creator’ ranker, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer second
October 4 – Paris Saint Germain’s Joao Neves has been identified as the top chance creator in world football in the latest CIES Football Observatory data report, ousting the iconic Lionel Messi from top spot.
Kick it Out trailblazer Lord Herman Ouseley dies, aged 79
October 4 – British football’s most respected, resilient and tenacious anti-racism campaigner, the trailblazing Kick It Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, has died aged 79.
Poor Champions League run leaves Benfica €31.4m in the red
October 4 – Portuguese giants Benfica have reported losses of €31.4 million for the 2023-24 season on turnover of €179 million excluding player transfers.