FairSquare report argues FIFA is not fit for purpose
October 31 – A new FairSquare report argues that FIFA is not fit to govern the global game and calls on the EU to reform the global governing body.
Textor to take Eagle Football public with £1.1bn float
October 31 – John Textor plans to take his Eagle Football group, a multiple club ownership holding company, public in the US with a $1.1 billion flotation in the first quarter of 2025 to recapitalise and service debt.
Women’s Super League agrees game-changing TV deal with Sky and BBC
October 31 – The Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) has agreed what it says is “the most significant broadcast partnership ever for women’s football”, following a new rights agreement with Sky and BBC Sport in the UK and Ireland.
Copa Libertadores stays Brazilian with Botafogo beating Penarol to set up Atletico Mineiro final
October 31 – Once again, the Copa Libertadores final will be all-Brazilian after Botafogo survived a scare against Penarol to win 6-3 on aggregate in Montevideo and set up a showpiece match against Atletico Mineiro in the competition’s final in November.
Benfica ranks as world’s best player development club
October 31 – Portugal’s Benfica has been unveiled as the world leader in player training, according to stats generated by the CIES Football Observatory.
Premier League attendances hit average 98.5% capacity for match week 9
October 31 – Arsenal, Brentford, Brighton, Leicester City and West Ham all achieved season-best attendances in Match Week nine as the Premier League looked to bounce back from a disappointing fortnight in the stands.
Klopp rebuts criticism of Red Bull role saying he can’t keep everyone happy all the time
October 31 – Jurgen Klopp has defended his decision to head up Red Bull’s group of clubs, saying he “didn’t want to step on anybody’s toes” and that it was difficult to take a job where “everyone is happy”.
PSG told to close one stand as penalty for homophobic fans’ chanting
October 31 – Paris St Germain will have to partially close a stand at their Parc des Princes stadium when they host Toulouse on November 22 after being sanctioned over homophobic chanting during a match earlier this month.
2025 Gold Cup final to be played in Houston at NRG Stadium
October 31 – Houston’s NRG Stadium, one of the most regular stops on the Concacaf Gold Cup circuit, will host the 2025 Gold Cup final next July 7.
FC Schalke 04’s suffering continues as revenue halves and performances are poor
October 31 – Seven-time Bundesliga champions, FC Schalke 04, have lurched from one crisis to another over the last five years as financial problems have crippled one of Germany’s most historic clubs. With the financial results from the period January 1 to June 30 just released, the picture remains cloudy.
Serbia’s Partizan Belgrade forced to cut costs as debt rises to €45m+
October 31 – The new president of Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade, Rasim Ljajić (pictured), has announced that the club has accumulated colossal debts and that Partizan’s expenses must be kept to a minimum for the club to survive.
Big Red bangs the republican drum
October 31 – It has been said many times that sport and politics don’t mix, however, former USMNT star, and current Fox Sports pundit, Alexi Lalas is challenging that convention in a controversial way.
Reynolds and McElhenney hydrate their Welsh portfolio with Wrexham Lager acquisition
October 31 – Ever since purchasing Wrexham AFC, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have developed a knack for keeping their club in the news despite sitting a mile away from the publicity provided by the Premier League.
UEFA act swiftly to take note of player welfare concerns, handing Fifpro an exco slot
October 30 – In a landmark move, global players’ union Fifpro are to be handed a place on UEFA’s executive committee after agreeing a partnership which the union said will “increase the voice of players in European football governance.”
FIFA find first sponsor partner for CWC 2025 with Hisense coming onboard with just 7 months to kick-off
October 30 – With less than a year to go to the Club World Cup in the US in 2025, FIFA has at last managed to secure a commercial sponsorship partner.