UEFA hits Feyenoord with fan ban and fine after Swiss rampage
November 26 – Feyenoord have been banned from selling tickets to their fans for next month’s Europe League game at Porto.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Van Basten given TV break after on-air Nazi comment
November 26 – Not so long ago he was a special adviser to Gianni Infantino as FIFA’s head of technical development. Now, as a television analyst, Marco van Basten has been suspended for making a Nazi remark.
No joke: Cellino’s Balotelli ‘black’ comment falls flat
November 26 – The controversial president of Italian club Brescia is facing accusations of racism after wading into the debate over striker Mario Balotelli who earlier this month briefly walked off in protest at being targeted by Hellas Verona fans.
Is Jack back? Former Warner acolytes take control of Trinidad and Tobago FA
By Paul Nicholson
November 25 – The Trinidad and Tobago FA has a new president and three new vice presidents following elections yesterday that removed incumbent David John-Williams and replaced him with United TTFA candidate William Wallace (pictured).
No host for AFCON 2020 women as Congo pull out and South Africa say no thanks
November 25 – South Africa have turned down an approach to step in as emergency hosts of next year’s women’s African Cup of Nations finals after Congo pulled out.
Saudi’s Al Hilal win AFC Champions League to set up Doha trip for Club World Cup
November 25 – Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal have claimed the final spot at next month’s Club World Cup after winning the AFC Champions League on Sunday – third time lucky after the heartbreak of defeat in the 2014 and 2017 finals.
Gabigol double seals Copa Libertadores for Brazilian giants Flamengo
By Samindra Kunti in Lima
November 25 – Late heroics from Gabriel Barbosa ‘Gabigol’ crowned a resilient Flamengo Copa Libertadores champions on Saturday against River Plate with a 2-1 victory and within 24 hours the Rio giants won the Brazilian league after Palmeiras failed to collect any points at Gremio, becoming the first Brazilian club to complete the double since Pele’s Santos in the 60s.
Premier League still on a VAR learning curve, says refereeing boss Riley
November 25 – English football’s refereeing chief has admitted that there have been four recent VAR blunders, increasing pressure on the game’s authorities to either scrap the system or tighten it up.
Brest halt BATE’s Belarus winning streak at thirteen
By David Owen
November 25 – Their reign at the top could not quite match the 25 years – and counting – of Alexander Lukashenko, the country’s president. Nonetheless, BATE Borisov’s dethroning on Sunday as national champions of Belarus very much qualifies as ‘the end of an era’.
CAF fixtures clash squeezes club competitions to make space for CHAN
November 25 – African football has been hit by yet another club-versus-country fixture congestion issue.
Pirates in the Caribbean: Warner-linked treasure hunters seek regime change at TTFA
By Paul Nicholson
November 23 –Trinidad and Tobago, the home of FIFA’s most-wanted Jack Warner, will see FA elections tomorrow for a new president and three vice-presidents.
Russia ready for more big football hosting as St Petersburg sets up for 2020
It may be unprecedented for a city which stages the World Cup to host the subsequent European Championships but St. Petersburg is gearing up once again to take centre stage with three group games and a quarterfinal of the pan-European 2020 finals. In his second report from Russia, Andrew Warshaw reports from a city that promises to rekindle memories of the riveting atmosphere that pervaded last year’s global competition.
SIGA betting integrity forum warns US sports must be more aware to protect themselves
By Paul Nicholson in Miami
November 22 – The US is a changed and expanding marketplace for sports betting following deregulation but with the opportunity comes danger and questions over whether it is ready for the flood of new online bookmakers and partnerships. Underpinning fears is the ever-present threat of match-fixing.
Afcon 2021 dates not set with rumours it will return to January to miss CWC clash
November 21 – The dates the next Africa Cup of Nations in 2021 are yet to be firmed up, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), raising the possibility of the tournament switching back from its recently introduced summer schedule to its previous January/February slot.
Flamengo and River Plate fans flood to Lima expecting a Copa Libertadores classic
By Samindra Kunti in Lima
November 21 – Tomorrow’s Copa Libertadores final between Brazilian giants Flamengo and defending champions River Plate has all the makings of a classic. but the fan logistics around the switch of the final to Peru raise questions about the direction Conmebol has taken its showpiece club game.