Tempers fray as racist insults and bite accusations mar French Ligue 2 match
October 19 – A French second division player has denied biting the cheek of an opposition goalkeeper, declaring instead that he had been racially abused.
News
Expedia take Liverpool’s sleeve with focus on post-Covid journey
October 19 – Online travel business Expedia has debuted this weekend as Liverpool’s sleeve sponsor, taking over from Western Union who still had two years left to run on their agreement.
Ceferin warns English that unity is key to progress, whether financial or beating Covid
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin speaks exclusively with Paul Nicholson
October 16 – “In March when the pandemic started we united to save the season. Some didn’t understand that if we aren’t united we are weaker,” says UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. The record shows that the season was impressively saved, but with the rate of covid infections spiking, in some European countries alarmingly, there is a need for more saving.
Germany’s DFB counters fraud claim saying a deal had already been done with tax office
October 16 – The German football federation (DFB) has claimed that it has already paid 2019 taxes related to advertising income after reaching an agreement with tax authorities. Six DFB officials are currently under investigation for tax evasion.
EFL emphasises ‘unity’ as it turns down Premier League’s £50m covid bail-out
By Paul Nicholson
October 16 – English Football League (EFL) clubs have rejected the £50 million offer for financial support from the Premier League following the collapse of the ‘Big Picture Project’ proposal that would have seen them receive a £250 million covid bail out.
Neville and Bernstein lead call for independent football regulator in England
October 16 – A group including former FA chairman David Bernstein, former England defender Gary Neville (pictured), former FA executive David Davies and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham have called for government to intervene in the game and set up an independent regulator.
Man Utd top up with Laybuy deal; Melitta buzzed with global renewal
October 16 – While Manchester United’s owners and top management have been playing politics over the future powerbase of English professional football with their backfired Big Picture Project, the commercial engine of the club has nevertheless continued to purr.
Conmebol returned $37m of stolen cash from Swiss accounts of Leoz and Deluca
By Samindra Kunti
October 15 – Conmebol is to receive a windfall $37 million from the Swiss bank accounts of Nicolas Leoz and Eduardo Deluca after the Swiss attorney general stated that “the forfeited funds will be returned directly”.
Premier League clubs reject Man Utd/Liverpool plan but release another £50m for EFL
By Andrew Warshaw
October 15 – Just days after radical plans for a major overhaul of English football became public, the proposed shake-up led by Liverpool and Manchester United was rejected Wednesday by Premier League clubs.
Argentina sets end-October date for return of club competition
October 15 – Domestic football will resume in Argentina at the end of October after the game shut down in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia has announced.
Denmark dump England, Portugal win without Ronaldo, Italy pay tribute in Bergamo
October 15 – Christian Eriksen’s penalty on his 100th appearance for Denmark earned his side a 1-0 upset win over England in their Nations League clash at Wembley on Wednesday as the hosts ended up with nine men.
FIFA rebrands its esports and builds prize pool to $4.35m for new season
October 15 – FIFA has restructured its esports tournaments with three new competitive pathways and a combined prize money pot of $4.35 million. It has also rebranded with a new design under the tagline ‘Fame your game’.
Napoli lose four points for their covid-excuse no-show at Juve
October 15 – Napoli have been handed a 3-0 defeat by Italian football authorities and docked one point for not showing up for their high-profile Serie A match at Juventus because of Covid-19 positive cases.
FA would block breakaway ‘Big Six’ Champions League slots; EFL clubs eye the cash
By Paul Nicholson
October 14 – With battle lines being drawn around the ‘Project Big Picture’ proposal that would restructure professional football in England, the FA has said that it would use its veto to kill off any English breakaway league and take away Champions League qualification from those clubs.
Ceferin plans for fans at Euros, but contingency to drop number of host cities exists
October 24 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the Euro finals, postponed until 2021 because of Covid-19, could be played with fans in stadiums across Europe but admits other scenarios are being explored.