By Andrew Warshaw
November 15 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hit back at Michel Platini’s claim that he voted for Qatar to stage the 2022 World Cup, saying Platini’s recollection of events is “totally untue” and that he backed the losing United States bid.
“In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly.”
― Samuel Taylor Coleridge
While the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to unilaterally terminate its 12-year $1 billion contract with Lagardere Sports (LS) continues to reverberate around the continent – and outside of it – informed Insideworldfootball readers will not be surprised about the development.
By Paul Nicholson
November 15 – More than £2.37 million has been paid to 17 Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee members since Ahmad took over the presidency of the regional body in 2017.
November 15 – LaLiga’s attempts to get interim permission to play a league fixture in Miami this December have been knocked back by Madrid’s Mercantile Court No. 12.
November 15 – The criticism of the Spanish FA’s (RFEF) decision to move its Super Cup to Saudi Arabia in a €130 million deal is now alienating broadcast partners with state broadcaster RTVE saying it will not bid for the TV rights due to human rights concerns.
November 15 – Marcello Lippi has quit as China coach after a 2-1 defeat by Syria in a 2022 World Cup qualifier in Dubai. It is the second time this year that the Italian has resigned from his role.
By Samindra Kunti in Sao Paulo
November 15 – In a dramatic semi-final Brazil upset favourites France 3-2 to reach the final of the U-17 World Cup on home soil against Mexico. The Mexicans eliminated Holland after a penalty shoot-out.
By David Owen
November 15 – The oldest club in Scotland has finally stopped trying to hold back the tide of history and bowed to modernity. Members of Queen’s Park, founded in 1867, have voted to permit the club to offer professional contracts.
November 15 – Eintracht Frankfurt will not have any away fans for their crucial Europa League match at Arsenal later this month after losing their appeal against a UEFA sanction.
By David Owen
November 15 – The English Football League (EFL) has issued a number of charges against second-tier Sheffield Wednesday relating to alleged breaches of its financial rules.
By Osasu Obayiuwana
November 14 – Talks between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and SuperSport, the pan-African Pay-tv channel, to resume the telecast of all CAF-organised matches, have failed to reach an agreement.
November 14 – Former Nigeria international Dickson Etuhu has been found guilty of attempted match-fixing in Sweden where he last played.
November 14 – Hertha Berlin investor Lars Windhorst has exercised his option to increase his stake in the Bundesliga club to 49.9%, spending another $109 million on top of the $138 million he spent in June to acquire 37.5%.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 14 – After all manner of rumour about where he might up next, Arsene Wenger is finally returning to the game, not in dugout as most anticipated but as FIFA’s new chief of global football development.
November 14 – Chilean football has been plunged into further crisis after national team players took the rare collective step of pulling out of next week’s friendly with rivals Peru as their country continues to suffer from weeks of protests and violent unrest.