CIES launches new Digital Atlas club comparison tool
November 30 – The CIES Football Observatory has launched a new version of its free-to-use Digital Atlas that looks at the composition of squads across Europe.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Convicted child sex abuser Bennell faces 8 charges of abusing youth players
November 29 – A British former coach has been charged with eight historical offences of sexual assault against a boy under the age of 14 in the latest development in the abuse scandal that has shocked the country.
Low pay, no pay and forced transfers are basic conditions of players, finds FIFpro report
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – The findings of the biggest global survey to date of working conditions in men’s professional football has thrown up a raft of startling conclusions, destroying the myth that most players live in a protective bubble, drive fast cars and lead enviable millionaire lifestyles.
Hull hit new low as 8 teams fill grounds by more than 95%
November 29 – Hull City set a season low attendance record in Round 13 of the Premier League filling just 70.69% of their 25,886 capacity stadium. The 7,500 unfilled seats in Hull made up more than half the 14,266 unfilled seats across the whole Premier League.
Brazil’s Chapecoense in tragic plane crash on way to Colombian final
November 29 – A chartered plane carrying 81 people, including top-flight Brazilian team Chapecoense, has crashed on its approach to the city of Medellin in Colombia, seemingly after an electrical failure.
Qataris examine local options in bid to build competitive team for 2022
November 29 – Qatar’s national coach has threatened to resign if a plan being considered by the country’s football authorities to exclude naturalised players from the squad is carried out.
Palmeiras league win sets new record, but Chapecoense tragedy mutes celebrations
By Samindra Kunti
November 29 – Palmeiras clinched a record ninth Brazilian league title with a week to spare by beating Chapecoense 1-0 at home on Sunday. The 2016 title ends a 22-year drought for the Sao Paulo-based club. But celebrations have been muted by the tragic plane crash over Colombia Monday night. The plane was carrying the team to the Copa Subamerica final in Medellin.
World weary Mourinho books another trip to FA discplinary
November 29 – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, dismissed for the second time this season last weekend, has now been charged by English football authorities – also for the second time.
AFC brings in Genius Sports to build best-of-class competition management tool
November 29 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has picked sports data specialists Genius Sports to supply a new Competition Management system.
Brazil tops player exports, but French head Big 5 imports. England rank 11th
November 29 – There are more Brazilian players playing outside their home country in Europe’s top 31 leagues than any other nation. Though there are more French players playing outside of France in the Big Five leagues than there are Brazilians.
German and Chinese governments sign pact to develop world’s biggest market
By Paul Nicholson
November 28 – German and Chinese governments have signed the equivalent of a football trade deal – the first of its kind between two governments – China’s vice-premier Liu Yandong and German chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel signed the partnership which will run for an initial five years.
Twitter stats: Chelsea edge Liverpool again, but gap to Arsenal keeps growing
By Paul Nicholson
November 28 – Growth in new twitter followers this week across the Premier League is up to 0.42% from 0.37% last week – or in real terms from 166,700 to 187,300. Manchester United still top the weekly table but Chelsea are gently showing a return to form and favour after a halving of weekly gains from 12 months ago, due to a drop in form and the unsavoury antics of former manager Jose Mourinho.
Jiangsu lose CFA Cup, Suning open Nanjing store trading on Inter and Jiangsu brands
By Paul Nicholson
November 28 – Suning Sports, owners of China Super League club Jiangsu Suning and majority owners of Italy’s Internazionale, opened its flagship retail store in Nanjing’s Olympic Sports Centre. The store sell merchandise from both clubs and offers entertainment based experiences as well as retail.
Atlético fan sues UEFA for Clattenburg’s Champions League final blunder
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – Wrong refereeing decisions not only change games but can wreck seasons and even lead to coaches being sacked. But one Atlético Madrid fan is so incensed over what happened in last season’s Champions League final that he is suing UEFA for damages.
Saudi Arabia opens club doors to private owners and overseas expansion
November 28 – Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved plans to privatise its football clubs after consultancy firm Deloitte conducted a year-long feasibility study.