Dnipro-1’s home win takes 4hrs 36 mins to complete because of Russian bombing fears
November 8 – A Ukrainian top-flight game lasted a record four hours, 36 minutes because of the danger of Russian air attacks.
Federations
USL swaps ESPN for multi-platform CBS Sports broadcast deal
November 8 – The United Soccer League (USL), operator of second and third tier professional men’s leagues in the US, has agreed a four-year media rights agreement with CBS that will see matches on network television for the first time.
Hermoso received death threats following Rubiales podium assault
November 7 – Jenni Hermoso has opened up on the infamous ‘kissgate’ affair that led to the resignation of former Spanish football boss and UEFA vice-president Luis Rubiales.
Romania to invest in new €137m stadium in team-less Timisoara
November 6 – The Romanian state is poised to start work on the construction of a new modern stadium. This chairman of the Timișoara County Council, Alin Nika, said the brand new facility will have 32,000 seats, and will cost an estimated €137 million to build.
North Macedonian FA boosts medical support for clubs
November 3 – The North Macedonian FA (FFM) have boosted their medical support to teams with the provision of defibrillators to all 16 clubs in Macedonia’s second division. Last year, similar donations were made to clubs in the Macedonian first division.
Ajax hit with fine and partial stadium closure over Feyenoord abandonment
November 2 – Ajax, currently at the bottom of the Eredivisie, have been sanctioned with a €25,000 and a stadium ban for the club’s hardcore fans for their next home match, following the abandonment of their league match with Feyenoord in September.
Mainz in hot water with El Ghazi over latest posting calling for end to killing and accountability
November 2 – German top-flight club Mainz look set to punish their Dutch forward Anwar El Ghazi after he posted a second comment over the Israel-Hamas war just days after being brought back into the fold.
FA bans offensive ‘from the river to the sea’ phrase from players’ social media
November 2 – The English Football Association is writing to all clubs banning the phrase ‘from the river to the sea’ following a pro-Palestinian post by Hamza Choudery who plays for Championship club Leicester City.
Celtic ban the ‘unacceptable’ political march of the Green Brigade
November 1 – Scottish champions Celtic have banned season ticket holders belonging to the so-called Green Brigade, one of the club’s supporter groups, from attending home matches after “repeated incidents of unacceptable conduct”.
Botev Plovdiv joins with BTCPayServer to allow bitcoin payments in-stadia and club shop
November 1 – Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv have become the first Bulgarian club to accept Bitcoin payments, saying they are partnering with the world leader in accepting bitcoin payments, BTCPayServer.
Olympiakos to appeal points sanction over abandoned Panathinaikos derby
October 31 – Olympiakos have vowed to “exhaust all legal means” to overturn being sanctioned for fan violence that has cost the team its lead in the Greek league.
Anwar El Ghazi to return for Mainz after missing two matches for anti-semitic post
October 31 – German top-flight club Mainz have lifted their suspension of Anwar El Ghazi over a social media comment he posted about the Israel-Hamas conflict, instead giving the player an official warning.
Romania to bid for Bucharest hosting of Europa League final in 2026 or 2027
October 31 – The Romanian government has confirmed it will support Bucharest’s bid to host the UEFA Europa League final in 2026 or 2027. The ‘normative support act’ was approved by the Romanian government at the end of last week.
Ajax recall John Van’t Schip in bid to rescue season
October 31 – Ajax have a new coach with John Van’t Schip returning to the Amsterdam club to try and rescue the season.
Barca fans keep up racist abuse of Vinicius at El Clasico
October 30 – Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday was marred by yet more racist chanting targeted at their Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr and La Liga are working with the police to identify the perpetrators.