AFC switches 2019 AFC Cup final from Pyongyang to Shanghai
October 23 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has moved the AFC Cup 2019 final from Pyongyang in North Korea to Shanghai.
Comment: A Small Nations World Cup anyone?
By Richard Heller
October 11, 2019 will go down in football history. Andorra won its first match in the European Championships, ending a run of 56 consecutive defeats. Fewer than a thousand fans were at the Estadi Nacional to see Marc Vales head the hosts into a shock lead against Moldova in the 63rd minute. Then the Andorran defence stood tall to protect it, as befits their mountain nation (current population 77,000 or so) which has preserved its independence against powerful neighbours for centuries.
Man Utd ban fan for racially abusing Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold
October 23 – Yet another incident of racism has plagued English football with Manchester United indefinitely banning a supporter who allegedly directed racist abuse at a Liverpool player in Sunday’s globally televised 1-1 draw between the two fierce rivals.
Infantino insults Mongolian hosts as he meets with banned Buyannemekh
By Paul Nicholson
October 22 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino, on tour in Asia on his way to the FIFA Council meeting in China later this week, has caused controversy in Mongolia following a secret meeting with former Mongolian FA president Ganbold Buyannemekh who was banned by FIFA’s ethics committee for five years in 2014 for soliciting and accepting bribes.
Professional footballers at greater risk of brain disease, finds study
October 22 – A landmark study into the links between football and brain disease has produced alarming results which suggest that professional players are more likely to suffer than others.
UEFA shuts doors or Serbian racists
October 22 – Serbia have been ordered to play their next home game behind closed doors in the latest sanction imposed by UEFA for racism.
FA orders racially ruined FA Cup match to be replayed
October 22 – An English FA Cup qualifier abandoned at the weekend because of racist abuse when the home players walked off is to be replayed rather than the tie be awarded to either team.
Conmebol confirm Copa Libertadores final will stay in Santiago
October 22 – South American football governing body Conmebol has confirmed that the 2020 Copa Libertadores final will still be staged in Santiago amid growing fears over the social unrest engulfing the Chilean capital.
UEFA’s business incubator signs three start-ups
October 22 – UEFA has signed three start-up businesses as part of its business innovation drive to develop new technologies and products that will significantly impact the commercial management and promotion of football and its assets.
Qataris unveil Club World Cup emblem with 50 days to go
October 22 – In September the Qataris launched the official emblem for the 2022 World Cup. Last week they launched a new official emblem for this year’s Club World Cup to be played in December.
Women’s World Cup viewing: chronicle of the long, lingering death of TV foretold?
By David Owen
October 21 – Women’s football is on a roll – and more power to its elbow for that. Nonetheless, the viewing figures for this summer’s Women’s World Cup, released at the end of last week to some fanfare, deserve to be treated with a certain amount of caution.
Relevent and LaLiga resurrect US ambitions with Villareal vs Atletico proposal
October 21 – Plans to stage a La Liga fixture in Miami have been resurrected, this time involving Villarreal’s home game against Atletico Madrid on December 6.
When enough is enough: Haringey walk off over Yeovil Town fans’ racial abuse
By Andrew Warshaw
October 21 – Everyone was appalled by the headline-making events in Sofia recently when England’s black players were verbally abused by a section of the Bulgarian fans.
Racism crisis: Roma fans target England’s Vieira with money chants
October 21 – Racism has once more marred Italian football. This time Sampdoria and England U-21 midfielder Ronaldo Vieira was the target of monkey chants from AS Roma fans.
UEFA separate Russia and Kosovo in bid to keep the peace
By Andrew Warshaw
October 21 – In another strategic move to preserve football’s geo-political status quo, UEFA have decided to keep apart Russia and Kosovo in European competition because of “security risks”.