October 23 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been invited to next year’s World Cup by Russian president Vladimir Putin and says he will accept even though he is still banned for six years after being found guilty of authorising a “disloyal payment” of $2 million to then UEFA president Michel Platini.
October 23 – The issues surrounding the controversial payments made by the German FA (DFB) to FIFA as part of a so-called ‘slush find’ to buy votes for the 2006 World Cup just won’t go away.
By Samindra Kunti in Guwahati and Kolkata
October 23 – England progressed to the last four of the U-17 World Cup for the first time in history with a commanding 4-1 win over the United States. Mali, Spain and Brazil complete the semi-final quartet, but the African champions’ qualification was overshadowed by diabolical playing conditions in a rain-soaked Guwahati.
October 20 – FIFA says it has struck a deal which it hopes will lead to world players’ union FIFPro withdrawing a legal complaint against the transfer system at the European Commission (EC).
By Samindra Kunti in Kolkata
October 19 – England progressed to the last eight of the U-17 World Cup in India following a penalty shoot-out win against Japan. Spain knocked out favorites France in the round of 16 with Brazil, Germany and Mali all qualifying for the quarter-finals.
October 18 – FIFA number two Fatma Samoura hopes the criminal investigation launched by Swiss prosecutors into the sale of World Cup rights to the Qatari-owned beIN Media group will not “disrupt” Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 16 – Former FIFA number two Jerome Valcke, back in the firing line after months of relative silence, has strongly denied colluding with the boss of Paris St Germain and beIN Sports, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, over suspected corruption linked to 2026 and 2030 World Cup broadcasting rights.
By Samindra Kunti in New Delhi
October 16 – Hosts India were eliminated from their first World Cup on home soil following a 4-0 trashing by Ghana. England, France, Brazil and Germany marched into the knock-out phase with ease.
October 13 – Switzerland’s Esther Staubli is set to make history by becoming the first European female referee – and only the second ever – to officiate in a FIFA men’s tournament.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 12 – He was the FIFA trouble-shooter who was eventually fired himself and fell spectacularly from grace. But now Jerome Valcke, for eight years Sepp Blatter’s right-hand man, has gone public with a vigorous defence of his reputation.
October 10 – Fans have just one day left to register for the first round of ticket sales for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The ticket application window, which has been open since September 14, closes noon Moscow time on October 12.
October 10 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that it has received Burkino Faso’s appeal challenging FIFA’s decision to replay the South Africa-Senegal World Cup qualifier but that it will not make any imminent decision.
October 10 – Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud’s much-acclaimed ‘scorpion’ kick is through to the final stage of the Puskas Award for the best goal of last season.
By Samindra Kunti in New Delhi, India
October 9 – India were outclassed 0-3 by the United States in their opening game of the U-17 World Cup, but local organisers have struggled with ticketing and basic services at venues on the tournament’s opening weekend.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 5 – Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay have launched a three-nation bid to host the 2030 World Cup, the event’s centenary tournament.