Steinhaus-Webb to head women’s refereeing at FIFA
October 9 – FIFA has appointed Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb as its new head of women’s refereeing.
Belgian Pro League invests in major data ecosystem to support clubs
October 9 – The Belgian Pro League has announced a series of major technological investments aimed at boosting its position in European football, with innovations focused on semi-automated offside technology, advanced data collection across all levels of the game, and precision limb-tracking.
ECA provides Greeks with support fund to help restore fire-damaged sports facilities
October 9 – The European Club Association (ECA) has organised a charity initiative in collaboration with non-profit organisations Eleven Campaign and Desmos, to support recovery projects for Greek communities and sporting facilities affected by this summer’s wildfires.
Borussia Dortmund’s journey to UCL final drives record revenue past €600m
October 8 – A €44 million pay day for reaching the Champions League final saw Borussia Dortmund turnover hit €618.2 million. UEFA payments provided €120.1 million in the 2023/24 financial year.
AFC World Cup 2026 qualifying heats up with crucial fixtures, and it is only match day 3
October 9 – It is only the third match day of ten, but already the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup are reaching a crucial, must-win stage for some of the AFC’s established international nations.
Spanish maestro Andrés Iniesta calls time on his world beating career, aged 40
October 9 – Spanish and former Barcelona legend, Andrés Iniesta, 40 has officially announced his retirement after 22 years of playing some of the most artistic football the world has ever seen.
Cleveland favourites to land 16th NWSL franchise
October 9 – The growth of the National Women Soccer League (NWSL) continues at breakneck speed. Hot on the heels of a Boston consortium paying $53 million for the rights to start a franchise in ‘Beantown’, the city of Cleveland is expected to be selected as the league’s 16th team.
Berhalter back in business with MLS’s Chicago Fire
October 9 – Former U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter, who was fired after a disastrous performance by the USMNT in this summer’s Copa America has landed in Chicago.
Premier League grounds average 98.6% capacity for match day 7
October 9 – The Premier League recorded an impressive 98.6% average stadium capacity across match week 7 fixtures.
Honours even after round one of Man City vs Premier League financial rules fight
October 8 – English champions Manchester City have claimed a partial victory over the Premier League after one of the league’s key regulations relating to financial fairness was challenged.
African officials and member associations warned not to be ‘complicit in the suicide of CAF’
October 7 – A letter sent to members of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and which has been circulated around member associations has caused concern and fear in Africa’s national associations over the ongoing future of CAF, and Africa’s right to govern its own football eco-system within Africa.
LAFC takes an ownership position in stadium sharing NWSL side Angel City FC
October 8 – The two most valuable men’s and women’s soccer clubs in America have joined forces.
MLS attendances break records, busting the 11m barrier with 16 games still to play
October 8 – With 16 matches of the regular season still left to play, Major League Soccer has announced a new league attendance record of more than 11 million fans.
Curto given 10-match ban for racially abusing Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan
October 8 – Italian defender Marco Curto has been banned for 10 matches by FIFA, five of them suspended for two years, for racially abusing Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan in a pre-season friendly.
Dutch legend Johan Neeskens dies, aged 73
October 8 – Johan Neeskens, part of the Ajax and Netherlands teams that created “total football” in the 1970s and a key team-mate of Johan Cruyff, has died aged 73.