Saudis link with French to develop coaches and a performance research hub
September 20 – The French FA (FFF) have signed a cooperation agreement with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) that will cover football development.
September 28 – The AFC Development Committee has approved seven member association applications for its Enhance Programme that provides services to support and help MAs develop their operations.
September 22 – Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has rejected allegations of ‘sportswashing’ as a method of improving the kingdom’s international reputation and says he has every intention of continuing to invest in top-level sport.
September 21 – Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 with Malaysia to kick off the second edition of the Women’s International Friendly Tournament in the Arab Kingdom.
AFC coaches under scrutiny as Tech Committee pushes for higher quality and quantity
September 20 – The AFC Technical Committee has raised the coaching criteria requirements for coaches in its club competitions, saying that the regions needs to further “strengthen the foundations for the Continent’s coaches to further elevate the standards of the Asian game”.
Iranian fans flock to welcome Ronaldo ahead of ACL clash with Persepolis
September 19 – Hundreds of fans stormed a hotel in Tehran on Monday hoping for a glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo after he arrived with his Al Nassr teammates ahead of the first visit of a Saudi team to Iran since 2016 for the group stage of the Asian Champions League.
IMG renew broadcast and betting data deal with Aussie A-Leagues
September 19 – IMG has renewed exclusive international broadcast, betting data and video rights to the men’s and women’s A-League competitions in Australasia.
AFC opts for continuity as it unveils newco AFG as its commercial partner
By Paul Nicholson
September 18 – The AFC has announced newly formed Asia Football Group (AFG) as its new, exclusive commercial partner for the 2023-2028 term with immediate effect.
U17 World Cup hosts Indonesia head to Bundesliga clubs for training camp
September 18 – Indonesia Under-17s will undergo a five-week Bundesliga training camp ahead of the 2023 U17 World Cup in November.
AFC Social Responsibility Committee approves support for 7 projects
September 18 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s Social Responsibility Committee has approved seven new programmes following its first meeting for the 2023 to 2027 term.
AFC ends $3.4bn commercial partnership with FMA, seeks new agency
September 15 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has terminated its exclusive $3.4 billion commercial partnership with Football Marketing Asia (FMA) with immediate effect.
AFC names 74 officials for Asian Cup Qatar 2023, including five female officials
September 14 – The AFC has named a record 74 officials for the Asian Cup 2023, to be played in Qatar January 12 to February 10 next year, including the first time appointment of five women officials.
Inter Milan add third Chinese academy after five-year gap
September 14 – Serie A front runners Inter are poised to further expand their academy network by opening a new academy centre in the city of Fuzhou, China, just weeks after introducing its Strikers academy in the US.
Football Australia boss calls for bigger thinking in planning Olympic 2032 football stadia
September 13 – Football Australia CEO James Johnson (pictured) has told Australian Members of Parliament that they need to think bigger around their planning for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Football finals.
Star struck: India paid an astrologer to guide Stimac through Asian Cup team selection
September 12 – An astrologer helped India coach Igor Stimac in team selection before crucial matches last year, including Asian Cup qualifiers, according to a report in The Indian Express.
