European Leagues boss Olsson says transfer window closing needs to be aligned
October 9 – The European summer transfer window should close at the same time everywhere as used to be the case, according to the head of the European Leagues.
Argentina and Brazil to return to Saudi Arabia for ‘Riyadh Season’ festival
October 9 – Saudi Arabia will stage another high-profile friendly between Brazil and Argentina in November as part of the Riyadh Season, the country’s General Entertainment Authority, headed by Turki Al-Sheikh, announced.
Belgian FA question Anderlecht over Kompany’s ‘unqualified’ coaching role
By Samindra Kunti
October 9 – Anderlecht have defended Vincent Kompany’s role as player-coach at the Belgian FA, denying that Simon Davies was a ‘shadow’ coach in place only to give Kompany the qualifications back-up required in Belgium.
Another flare-up at Celtic. UEFA charge club for 17th time
October 9 – Celtic have been charged by UEFA for fans setting off fireworks just over two weeks after being fined for the use of flares and throwing objects.
Shared energy: Milan clubs fuelled by joint A2A partnership
October 9 – They are fierce city rivals on the pitch yet they share a stadium, want to jointly build a new one, and now share a sponsor. Italian club giants AC Milan and Internazionale have jointly announced A2A Energia as their official energy partner.
‘Your worst nightmare’. beIN’s Al-Obaidly tells ‘sleep-walking’ rights owners the TV bubble has burst
By Paul Nicholson
October 8 – The warning signs have been there for a while, the reality may only just be starting to hit home to a football business that is “still sleep-walking to a financial cliff”. Broadcast and media rights revenues that underpinned football’s massive growth are about to burst, and spectacularly so.
Infantino beware? Platini, ban served, plots his return from football’s sidelines
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – Still protesting his innocence at the ban that crushed his hopes of landing the FIFA presidency he so coveted, former UEFA chief Michel Platini is free to work in football again and is vowing to make a comeback which could potentially mean trouble for those he believes conspired to end his career.
FIFA keep control of Ghana in run-up to election of Nyantakyi replacement
October 8 – FIFA has extended the term of the Normalisation Committee that oversees Ghanaian football.
FIFA’s corruption catch-up programme bans El Salvadorian Vasquez for life
October 8 – Former El Salvador FA boss Reynaldo Vasquez is the latest high-profile official to be banned for life by FIFA.
BT unveils Wales deal as part of multi-year rebrand anchored in Home Nations football
October 8 – The Welsh FA has announced BT as its exclusive lead partner in a deal that will run until 2024.
Red is the colour as Labour takes aim with political football
By David Owen
October 8 – Flummoxed by Brexit and with a general election looming, Britain’s opposition Labour party has turned to the people’s game to try to build some much-needed political capital.
Azzurri turn green to mark football renaissance
By David Owen
October 8 – As we used to say in the TV era, “Do not adjust your set”: Italy really will be wearing green when they take on Greece in a European championship qualifier in Rome on Saturday night.
Man City blends sponsorship with retail product in Vejo deal
October 8 – Manchester City has announced health and wellness brand Vejo as the club’s Official Smart Blending Device Partner in a deal that will see co-branded retail product.
International breaks: Sylvinho pays the price at Lyon, Giampolo axed at AC Milan
October 7 – Brazilian coach Sylvinho has been dismissed by his club Olympique Lyon after Sunday’s derby defeat against local rivals AS Saint-Etienne and just one win in nine. At AC Milan, Marco Giampolo is also on the way out.
Serie A focusses on US as it seeks to boost its media footprint
October 7 – Italy’s Serie A has followed the lead of its Big 5 European league rivals LaLiga and Bundesliga, and opened an office in the US.