Maracana in pole position for 2020 copa Libertadores final
October 15 – Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium are favourites to stage the 2020 Copa Libertadores final ahead of Thursday’s decision by Conmebol on host venue.
French minister calls for UEFA to sanction Turkey over players’ military salutes
By David Owen
October 15 – French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu has called on UEFA to sanction Turkey after the Turkish team’s players executed another military-style salute in the Stade de France on Monday night.
Qataris in running for stake in Premier League hunting Leeds
October 15 – The owner of Leeds United, one of the sleeping giants of English football, has revealed that Qatar Sports Investments, who own Paris Saint-Germain, are one of three parties interested in taking a major stake in the Championship club.
Korean derby ends honours even
October 15 – It’s being described as the weirdest derby on the planet.
Saudis arrive in Palestine for symbolic match amid ‘sportwashing’ jibes
October 15 – Groups of Palestinian activists are denouncing using an historic match between their country and Saudi Arabia as ‘sportswashing’ to obscure the normalisation of the relationship between the Saudis and Israel.
Ecuadorian unrest threatens women’s Copa Libertadores
October 15 – A wave of political unrest in Ecuador has spilled over into football with world players’ union FIFPro calling for the women’s Copa Libertadores to be called off.
French politicians demand Turkey match called off in wake of Istanbul military salute
By David Owen
October 14 – French politicians are calling for tonight’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Turkey to be called off, in the wake of the Turkish players’ recent military-style salute after scoring against Albania.
Pirates stealing football’s gold. 8.9m people streamed illegally in UK, finds report
October 14 – The revelation last week that middle eastern broadcaster beIN Sport will now, as a result of piracy, be treating all its sports rights acquisitions as non-exclusive, and will be dropping prices accordingly, is a wake-up call to football’s rights owners.
Bulgarian coach Balakov says England are the real racists
October 14 – Tensions ahead of tonight’s European Championship qualifier between Bulgaria and England have been racked up after Bulgarian coach Krasimir Balakov accused England of having a bigger racism problem than his own country.
Andorra break their qualifying duck with 1-0 win over Moldova
October 14 – Tiny Andorra’s 21-year wait for a first European Championship qualifying win is over after they defeated Moldova 1-0 on Friday.
AFCON 2021 group qualifiers set after wins for Gambia, Chad, South Sudan and Sao Tome
October 14 – Gambia, Chad, South Sudan and Sao Tome (pictured) have advanced in qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Budweiser toast Juventus with three-year deal
October 14 – AB InBev brand Budweiser has been named as the official beer of the Italian giants Juventus in a deal running through to the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Performance data analysts PlayMaker becomes USL Preferred Supplier
October 14 – The United Soccer League (USL) that recently announced David Beckham’s Miami FC and MLS old-stager new England Revolution as entering development teams in its third tier League One division, has added performance data providers PlayerMaker as a ‘preferred partner’.
After 40 years, Iranian women take their seats to cheer their team in World Cup qualifier
By Andrew Warshaw
October 11 – It’s a significant and welcome breakthrough for the entire sport but let’s not get too carried away too soon.
Lukaku goals lead Belgium to being first to book place at Euro 2020 finals
October 11 – Belgium have become the first team to qualify for Euro 2020 after a 9-0 demolition job of amateurs San Marino.