UEFA’s children’s foundation releases €4.8m for new projects worldwide
November 20 – UEFA’s Foundation for Children has announced a raft of new projects on what is its fifth anniversary this year.
Integrity
FIFA boost for female players with game changing maternity protection laws
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – In a ground-breaking initiative that will be widely welcomed throughout the game, FIFA is to introduce radical new regulations covering maternity leave for female players – and could impose fines and transfer bans on clubs not meeting the new standards.
Arsenal warm to lead role on fighting climate change
November 17 – Arsenal have become the first English Premier League club to make a commitment to climate change after signing the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.
Platini quizzed again over the CHF2m ‘disloyalty’ cash
November 16 – The infamous CHF2 million “disloyalty payment” that helped bring down both Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini is back in the news with Platini due to appear today before the Swiss judiciary for the third time in two and half months and the fourth time in all.
‘Be the Change’: US men’s team send a message on equality
November 13 – The United States men’s team stepped on to the pitch for their first international match since February with powerful and personalised messages show support for racial equality.
Clarke pushed out of FIFA Council seat as English face marginalisation
By Andrew Warshaw
November 12 – Former English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke, who resigned on Monday, has bowed to the inevitable and also relinquished his positions as a FIFA vice-president and a FIFA Council member in what was an apparent u-turn.
Southgate says Clarke had no alternative as England begin hunt for new FA chair
November 12 – England manager Gareth Southgate says Greg Clarke had no alternative but to resign as the Football Association’s chairman but that he tried to support racial harmony during his time in charge.
CAS rule Napoli were creating their own alibi and back Serie A’s 3-0 award to Juve
November 12 – Napoli’s appeal against Juventus being awarded a 3-0 win for their unplayed fixture last month has been predictably rejected by the Court of Arbitration for sport.
Red-faced English FA boss Clarke resigns over ‘coloured’ gaffe
By Andrew Warshaw
November 10 – Greg Clarke sensationally resigned today as chairman of the English Football Association after four years in the job over offensive language used when addressing a group of British parliamentarians about inclusion and diversity.
Louis Saha to lead the line at SIGA Champions session, November 18
November 10 – Former Manchester United, Fulham and France striker Louis Saha will lead the line at a special ‘SIGA Champions’ session on November 18.
Rashford strikes again as Boris Johnson pressured to pick up the ball on child hunger
November 9 – Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has forced the UK government into a second u-turn with his calls to extend free school meals to children from low-income families during school holidays in England.
WADA agrees to pay French international Mamadou Sakho ‘substantial’ damages
By David Owen
November 5 – Crystal Palace and former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has won “substantial” damages from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in settlement of a long-running dispute.
UEFA bans Qarabağ’s Ibrahimov after call to ‘kill’ all Armenians
November 4 – UEFA has moved swiftly to provisionally ban Qarabağ FK communications officer Nurlan Ibrahimov after comments made on social media calling for the killing of all Armenians.
Complaint filed at IOC calls for Infantino’s suspension
November 3 – Gianni Infantino, already being investigated by the Swiss authorities who have opened criminal proceedings against him, has been caught up in yet another saga which could potentially further undermine his credibility.
Human trafficking: International fake player agents and scouts, and their selling of dreams
Professional football is often seen as the Holy Grail by many aspiring young players, with their dreams of becoming the next Messi, Mane, Ronaldo, or Mbappe, and a golden ticket to escaping from their current situation, whilst securing the financial future of themselves and their families. It is a fertile opportunity for criminals and organised crime. Report by Fred Lord