Dutch legend Johan Neeskens dies, aged 73
October 8 – Johan Neeskens, part of the Ajax and Netherlands teams that created “total football” in the 1970s and a key team-mate of Johan Cruyff, has died aged 73.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Carling agree 3-year deal with SPFL
October 8 – The Scottish Premier Football League (SPFL) has signed a three-year deal with Carling which will make it the official beer of the SPFL until the end of the 2026/27 season, subject to extension.
Real Madrid sign betting site VERSUSbet in 2-year European deal
October 8 – Real Madrid has signed a two-year partnership with VERSUSbet, the sports betting and online casino brand owned by Grupo Orenes.
AC Milan launch Hall of Fame as part of 125th anniversary celebrations
October 8 – AC Milan has announced the launch a Hall of Fame, in tandem with premium sponsor partner Emirates, as part of the club’s 125th-anniversary celebrations.
No Angels. NWSL’s LA powerhouse fined for breaking salary caps, top execs sanctioned
October 8 – Late last week the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) announced that Angel City FC would be punished for circumventing the league rules around salary caps.
Wolves, beached in the EPL, home in on Visit Lauderdale as destination partner
October 8 – As a second hurricane barrels towards Florida, Wolverhampton Wanderers in timing that resembles their current Premier League form, have officially named ‘Visit Lauderdale’ as their destination partner for 2024/25.
Nikolov follows through on promise and pulls out of Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna
October 8 – The owner of the Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna, Pavlin Nikolov, has withdrawn from the club for the second time in a month and pulled all his financing .
ECJ ruling on Diarra case threatens stability of transfer market
October 7 – It’s been described by some experts as Bosman Mark 2 and could have significant implications for years to come.
Pogba to return next August after CAS reduces his doping ban
October 7 – French international Paul Pogba, once the golden boy of his country’s midfield but whose career took a dramatic downward turn, says his “nightmare is over” after a four-year ban for doping was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
AFC increases its firepower in fight against match-fixing with IBIA co-operation
October 7 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) to combat match fixing in the Asian region.
FIFA pushes for expanded Women’s finals at 2028 Olympics and addition of Futsal and Beach Soccer
October 7 – FIFA has announced it will propose expanding the women’s Olympic soccer tournament from 12 teams to 16, as well as the addition of futsal and beach soccer to the games in a mission to further elevate women’s football and diversify the sport’s Olympic offerings.
SPFL turnover rises to record £44.3m
October 7 – The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has reported a significant financial boost, with its 2023/24 turnover rising by £2.4 million (6%) to reach a record £44.3 million.
French fans critical of Mbappe for putting club before country
October 7 – Rarely out of the news, French superstar Kylian Mbappe is facing criticism for skipping Les Bleus’ Nations League games against Israel and Belgium while still being available to play for Real Madrid.
Palestine FA put their faith in the FIFA’s Ethics bodies to achieve a ‘just outcome’
October 6 – The Palestine Football Association (PFA), which has lost pretty much every political battle with its Israeli neighbours in the football politics arena, have nevertheless ‘welcomed’ the FIFA Council’s decision to refer their case to FIFA’s Ethics bodies.
TIM exits Serie A but dials in Milan double with Inter sponsorship added to AC Milan deal
October 7 – Reigning Serie A Champions Inter Milan have announced a new partnership with TIM, which will see the broadcast provider become the club’s Official Telco Partner.