October 26 – A study by broadcast research specialists GfK has estimated that illegal access to digital content cost the Spanish economy €682 million in 2020. Piracy is estimated to have cost Spain €5.34 billion since 2012. The equivalent of 130,000 direct and indirect jobs in the industry.
October 26 – The eagerly anticipated 12-team European playoffs to decide who joins the 10 qualifying group winners at the World Cup in Qatar will be made on November 26.
October 26 – Saint-Étienne, one of France’s most iconic clubs but currently bottom of Ligue 1, have been ordered to play their home games behind closed doors until at least the middle of next month after protests from angry fans delayed the start of last Friday’s 2-2 draw with Angers by an hour.
October 26 – Bayern Munich fans have moved again against the club’s sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways, which remains contentious amongst its fans due to the airline’s state ownership and Qatar’s human rights record.
October 26 – Chinese dairy product giant Mengniu, has signed up for its second World Cup partnership, becoming an Official Sponsor of Qatar 2022.
October 26 – France and Real Madrid star Karim Benzema faces sentencing on November 24 if he is found guilty of his involvement in an attempt to blackmail his former national teammate Matthieu Valbuena. His lawyers are demanding the case be thrown out but a potential prison sentence looming if he is found guilty.
October 26 – Bayern Munich captain Joshua Kimmich has ignited another debate over vaccination against Covid-19 in Germany after he admitted he is not yet vaccinated.
October 25 – UEFA have once again been urged by Europe’s major leagues to decide Champions League qualification on sporting merit alone rather than on historic performance.
October 25 – Speaking to Concacaf member associations at the confederation’s 36th Ordinary Congress, president Victor Montagliani (pictured) praised his members for their commitment to the game and highlighted the “groundbreaking moment” of the US Department of Justice’s award of $70 million.
October 25 – The cost to FIFA of losing the EA Sports license for the exclusivity over use of the FIFA brand in its videogame is reportedly put at $150 million annually.
October 25 – Manchester United manager Gunnar Solskjaer lamented what he described as his “darkest day” in the job but vowed not to quit following Sunday’s 5-0 humiliation at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpool.
By Samindra Kunti
October 25 – Can new winds, fresh capital and debt restructuring rejuvenate Anderlecht? Existing shareholders and new investors are set to inject the equivalent of €93 million into the club’s finances, while CEO Jos Donvil will be exiting the club.
October 25 – Qatar has inaugurated a fifth World Cup venue with Al Sadd defeating Al Rayyan from the penalty spot in the final of the Amir Cup at the Al Thumama stadium.
October 25 – Police are investigating a graphic banner displayed by Crystal Palace fans that targeted the Saudi Arabian-led takeover of Newcastle United.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Europe’s top leagues have cautioned that FIFA’s controversial biennial World Cup plan may not, after all, have been abandoned and have stressed their firm opposition to the idea as well as to any overhaul of the international match schedule.