Barca’s Real Madrid blow-out ups pressure on Bartomeu and board
October 26 – Barcelona’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Saturday’s El Classico could shortly result in the entire board resigning according to Spanish reports.
Sterling to launch charity to give opportunity to socially disadvantaged
October 26 – Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling is set to become the second England international footballer to use his influence to tackle social issues by founding a charity to help children from disadvantaged families.
UEFA probe Covid protocols at Rennes after fears safety rules were broken
October 26 – UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Rennes for breaking strict Covid-19 guidelines at last week’s Champions League game against Russian side Krasnodar.
African FAs encourage Ahmad to stand for another term as CAF president
By Samindra Kunti
October 23 – Africa’s football electorate has given the strongest signal yet that it will support CAF president Ahmad for a second term at the helm after 46 FA bosses signed a letter of support.
Political battle lines: Qarabag’s military salute censored by UEFA
October 23 – Players and officials from Azeri club Qarabag have been reprimanded by UEFA for performing a military salute during their Europa League qualifying match away to Legia Warsaw on October 1.
Rapid covid spike forces Belgians to close doors on fans at top tier matches
October 23 – Belgium has become the latest country to ban fans from attending live football matches after a huge spike in coronavirus infections.
Draw for European qualifying for Qatar 2022 set for December 7 live stream
October 23 – The draw for the European section of 2022 World Cup qualifying will take place in Zurich on December 7.
Covid crush: African Champions League semi-final postponed to just four days before final
October 23 – The second leg of the African Champions League semi-final between Egypt’s Zamalek and Raja Casablanca has been postponed for a week after eight players in the Moroccan club’s squad tested positive for Covid-19.
Nigeria’s Ogu calls for player boycott and for ‘police brutality to stop’
October 23 – Nigeria midfielder John Ogu is the latest footballer to denounce the police brutality going on in his country and has called for a boycott of all upcoming games.
Aussies and Kiwis pull out of European trips in November match window
October 23 – Australia have joined New Zealand in pulling out of planned national team events in Europe due to the Europe-wide spike in coronavirus cases and increasing international travel restrictions.
UEFA connects with smartphone maker vivo for Euro 2020 and 2024
October 23 – Chinese smartphone manufacturer vivo has committed to a four-year official partnership for Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
Arsenal and KSE get environmentally friendly with Ball Corporation deal
October 23 – Arsenal have agreed an official partnership with global aluminium packaging company Ball Corporation in a co-operation designed to help the club and its fans reduce their impact on the environment.
Infantino defends Lauber meetings as he waits to learn, officially, what he is accused of
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Three months after criminal proceedings were opened against Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president has broken his silence by declaring he still doesn’t know what he is accused of and defending his conduct throughout his dealings with Switzerland’s disgraced former attorney general Michael Lauber.
Mediapro seeks rights fee rebate on €172m demanded by LFP
October 22 – Spanish media rights agency Mediapro is seeking a negotiated solution with the LFP after the French league issued a €172 million demand for unpaid rights fees.
Report finds 43% of players in EPL racially abused on social media
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – A new report into the extent to which professional footballers are attacked online has thrown up damning and disturbing findings, with 43% of English Premier League players surveyed having experienced “targeted racist abuse”.