Balkan countries reveal ambition for 2028 Euro or 2030 World Cup hosting
November 5 – Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Romania are considering an unlikely joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
FIFA opens investigations after refusal to recognise Namibia’s removal of Mbidi
November 5 – FIFA has stepped into yet another internal African dispute by saying it doesn’t recognise last week’s decision to sack Namibia Football Association president, Frans Mbidi (pictured).
USL announces FC Dallas as final team for 10-club League One. NISA playing catch-up
November 5 – The USL has announced the full line for its 10-team USL League One, a third tier professional league licensed by the US Soccer Federation. FC Dallas, who have a team in the MLS, will be a founding member for the league’s inaugural season in 2019.
FIFA 19 expands pro-player focus with in-game kits for esports pro teams
November 5 – EA Sports has been building new league partnerships in recent months with European leagues, including the Premier League and Bundesliga, for competitive leagues in its FIFA 19 platform. Now it has partnered with 13 worldwide esports professional organisations.
Official starting gun fired in the race for AFC presidency and seats at the top tables
By Paul Nicholson
November 2 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially opened nominations for the positions of AFC President, five FIFA Vice Presidents and six FIFA Council members. Elections will be held at the AFC Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 6, 2019.
BBC and Sky call on EU to take action against Saudi-backed rights piracy
By Paul Nicholson
November 2 – The global sports backlash against Saudi Arabia and its support of pirate streaming service BeoutQ has now extended to other general entertainment players with BBC and Sky in the UK calling on the European commission to take formal action against Saudi Arabia.
Rangers losses double to £14.3m as Gerrard rebuilds and Ibrox refurbishes
By Paul Nicholson
November 2 – Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers, clawing their way back into Scottish Premier League contention and financial stability, have announced a more than doubling of their losses for the year ended June 2018 to £14.3 million.
Man Utd to crack down on toy gun-toting pitch invaders
November 11 – Manchester United have launched a security review at Old Trafford to determine how a pitch invader during last month’s Champions League match with Juventus got into the stadium with two toy guns.
South Korea bans Jang Hyun-soo for life over falsifying national service record
November 2 – South Korea defender Jang Hyun-soo has received a lifetime ban from playing for the national team after he was found to have submitted false documents relating to his military service exemption.
USL unveils structure and teams for League One debut in US in 2019
November 2 – USL League One – a third tier professional league in the US – will make its entrance with 10 teams playing a March to October season in 2019.
Fast finish: Usain Bolt’s trial at Central Coast Mariners comes to an end
November 2 – Usain Bolt’s trial with Australian club Central Coast Mariners has come to an end. The Jamaican eight-time Olympic sprint champion has been with the A-League side since August in a bid to win a professional football contract.
Irish cross borders with joint bid for 2023 European U-21 finals
November 2 – The Irish FA and Football Association of Ireland have launched a ground-breaking joint bid to host the 2023 European Under-21 Championship finals.
Betting’s fixed game: UK sports minister Crouch resigns over delay in new rules
November 2 – British sports minister Tracey Crouch resigned from the government on Thursday over what she claimed was an unjustifiable delay in reducing the maximum wager on gambling slot machines.
Relevant and LaLiga launch fan petition to bring Girona vs Barca league match to Miami
November 1 – The much-publicised overseas La Liga game between Girona and Barcelona, which FIFA have insisted cannot go ahead in Miami in January, has taken another twist with US fans being asked to sign a petition in favour of the ground-breaking fixture.
Ghana’s Nyantakyi to appeal FIFA life ban at CAS
November 1 – Former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi is to appeal against his life ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.