FIFA 2026 venue inspectors turn focus on Edmonton
November 18 – With Canada have pushed themselves into the top qualifying slot for the 2002 World Cup in Edmonton, it was the city’s turn to stake its claim to be a host venue for 2026.
Man City’s Mendy hit with two more charges of rape
November 18 – Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has appeared in court to face two further charges of rape.
No change in Kenya despite FIFA reporting ‘excellent’ meetings with government
November 18 – The Kenyan government says the disbanding of the country’s FA remains intact despite positive initial talks with FIFA over the crisis.
Marseilles escape with one match fan ban after pitch invasions and disorder at PSG game
November 17 – French football authorities have ordered Marseille to play one home match behind closed doors as a result of crowd trouble in last month’s game against bitter rivals Paris St. Germain.
AFC technical team has pandemic-forced development rethink
November 18 – The AFC Technical Committee has re-evaluated its commitment to raise the standards of Asian football with several new initiatives.
Iran and Saudi consolidate on road to Qatar, Japan back in qualifying spots
November 17 – Iran and Saudi Arabia cemented their positions at the top of their Qatar 2022 final qualifying groups with four games left in qualifying.
Iran beat Syria away from home with three unanswered goals to maintain a two point lead over second placed South Korea, but more importantly a 10 point lead over third place UAE.
The top two teams in each group qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 with third placed teams going into the inter-continental play-offs.
Hoffman to quit Premier League chair as clubs protest Saudi deal for Newcastle United
November 17 – Gary Hoffman is to resign as chairman of the English Premier League following a backlash from clubs relating to Newcastle United’s takeover by a Saudi Arabian-led consortium.
2022 qualifying on hold as FIFA probe SAFA’s complaint of match-fixing
November 17 – FIFA will review South Africa’s appeal for a replay with Ghana in World Cup qualifying. The South Africans demanded an investigation after they lost a crunch qualifier in controversial fashion against Ghana 1-0, prompting Bafana officials to believe match-fixing was involved.
FIFPro turn back on Platini and opt for Aganzo as new president
November 17 – David Aganzo (pictured), head of the Spanish footballers union AFE, has been elected president of world players union FIFPro, dashing once and for all speculation that the job might have gone to ex-UEFA chief Michel Platini.
Argentine FA mines deeper into crypto business with Bybit sponsorship
November 17 – Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has become the new global main sponsor of the Argentina’s national teams in a two-year deal.
Women’s Euro ticket ballot closes with 200,000+ applications
November 17 – The first Women’s EURO 2022 ticket ballot window has closed with more than 200,000 applications, on top of the 162,000 tickets sold in pre-sale.
King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh passed for full capacity for Asian Champions League final
November 17 – The final of the AFC Champions League next week between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and Pohang Steelers from South Korea, can take place in front of a full capacity stadium following the AFC approval of covid safety protocols.
Hammered: West Ham fans banned from Europa League travel by UEFA
November 16 – Fans of English Premier League club West Ham United have been banned by UEFA from attending their Europa League clash away to Rapid Vienna following crowd trouble during a previous fixture at Genk earlier this month.
FIFA tells Kenyan government to reinstate Mwendwa or face football ban
November 16 – The Kenyan government has been directed by FIFA to immediately reinstate embattled Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa who has been arrested following last week’s disbanding of the federation by the government.
Qatar 2022: Italy stumble into play-offs, big wins for Swiss and English see them qualify
November 16 – Just four months after winning the delayed Euro 2020, Italy have missed out on an automatic place at the World Cup finals and will have to rely on the playoffs to get them to Qatar.