FIFA turns to tech firms to improve VAR
November 20 – FIFA are taking steps to ensure marginal offside calls are determined by automated technology rather than the controversial VAR system of dotted lines and a second pair of eyes.
UEFA’s children’s foundation releases €4.8m for new projects worldwide
November 20 – UEFA’s Foundation for Children has announced a raft of new projects on what is its fifth anniversary this year.
FIFA boost for female players with game changing maternity protection laws
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – In a ground-breaking initiative that will be widely welcomed throughout the game, FIFA is to introduce radical new regulations covering maternity leave for female players – and could impose fines and transfer bans on clubs not meeting the new standards.
CAF election: Senghor highlights Ahmad ethics concerns, will unite French-speaking vote
By Andrew Warshaw
November 18 – Senegal Football Federation president Augustin Senghor (pictured), the fifth and final candidate to enter the race for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), says he is ready to accept the challenge and believes he has the backing of a number of countries without identifying them.
Clubs for sale: US investors eye the post-pandemic opportunities in Europe
By Paul Nicholson
November 19 – Private equity money looking to make a play in the football business is not being discouraged by the pandemic with investors increasingly looking at opportunities outside the higher priced top tiers of the Big 5 league clubs.
UEFA hands Nations League points to Romania after Norwegians forced told to stay home
November 19 – In a landmark move by UEFA that illustrates the increasingly thorny issue of Covid 19’s impact on international football, Romania have been handed a 3-0 win over Norway after their Nations League match was cancelled due to the Norwegian authorities banning the country’s national team from travelling to Bucharest.
Belgium, Italy, France and Spain head for Nations League finals in October
November 19 – Belgium and Italy completed the line-up for the Nations League’s final four on Wednesday with wins against Denmark and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively. They will meet Spain and France in October 2021 to decide the winner of the tournament’s second edition.
EFL backs return of 5 subs rule as fixtures and injury fears mount
November 19 – The English Football League (EFL) has voted to re-instate the five-substitute rule across all its three divisions from this Friday, heaping pressure on the Premier League to follow suit.
NWSL retains Challenge Cup competition as opener for 2021 regular season
November 19 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US is to continue with its Challenge Cup format introduced for the first time as a back-to-play tournament in 2020, the first of the US leagues to return to competition during the pandemic. The full season schedule will be begin a month later.
Mastercard renew until 2024 with Brazil’s CBF
November 19 – Mastercard have extended their sponsorship of the Brazilian football confederation (CBF) and the country’s national team until 2024.
Joy for Wales and Czechs as Israel ruin Scots’ Nations League progression
November 19 – Wales secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League with a 3-1 win over 10-man Finland in Cardiff on Wednesday and virtually guaranteed themselves a 2022 World Cup play-off spot.
LaLiga salary cap cuts club spending by more than €600m with Barca hardest hit
By Samindra Kunti
November 18 – La Liga has acted to keep club spending under control by reduced salary caps across its two leagues by more than €600 million because of the coronavirus pandemic. Clubs are currently on track to overspend their income by €500 million.
FIFA clings on to Club World Cup but pushes back to February 2021 in Qatar
November 18 – FIFA has moved its delayed Club World Cup (CWC) from December to February because of the effects Covid-19 with Qatar remaining as hosts whilst the women’s U20 and U17 World Cups in Costa Rica and India respectively will now be held in 2022 having already been rescheduled once.
English open talks on potential fan return post end of lockdown on December 2
November 18 – Plans to allow a limited number of supporters back into English professional games, possibly before the end of the year, are reportedly being considered by the government.
Brazil brush Uruguay aside to maintain prefect record in Qatar 2022 qualifiers
November 18 – Brazil defeated Uruguay 2-0 in Montevideo courtesy of goals from Arthur and Richarlison to maintain a perfect record and top spot in South American World Cup qualifying. In Quito, Ecuador steamrollered Colombia 6-1.