Bulgaria’s Serbian coach blames poor performance on too many foreigners in club game
October 17 – National team coach Mladen Krstajić launched an extraordinary attack on the Bulgarian league before a friendly match against Albania.
Europe
Rabbi loses faith in the FA as Jewish fans angered by failure to light up Wembley’s arch
October 16 – A rabbi who worked with the English Football Association for over a decade has resigned in protest at the body’s refusal to light up Wembley stadium’s arch in the colours of the Israeli flag during last Friday’s friendly with Australia and this Tuesday’s clash with Italy.
Spain’s win over Norway sends them and Scotland to Euro 2024 finals
October 16 – Scotland have qualified for next year’s Euros with two games to spare thanks to Spain’s 1-0 win over Norway last night, which has guaranteed Steve Clarke’s men a top-two finish in group A. The result also put Spain into the 2024 finals.
Saudi defector Henderson booed after lacing up for England and donning captain’s armband
October 16 – Jordan Henderson has reacted to being booed in England’s international friendly versus Australia at Wembley on Friday evening despite donning the captain’s armband in his side’s 1-0 victory over the Socceroos.
Tonoli and Zanioli sent back to EPL clubs after Italian police open betting investigation
October 13 – Two high-profile Italian players have been turfed out of their national team amid a headline-making betting probe
Sandro Tonoli and Nicolo Zanioli, who both play in the English Premier League, were sent back to their clubs from Italy’s training camp on Thursday after being notified by police of a criminal investigation into alleged gambling offences.
FA and Premier League condemn Palestine/Israel violence but stop short of taking sides
October 13 – Both the FA and Premier League have released statements condemning the ongoing and escalating violence between Israel and Palestine, as the FA resist government encouragement to take sides in the high-profile and violent dispute.
‘Disenfranchised’ Parish says UEFA compromised by big clubs and game needs a regulator
By Samindra Kunti in Brussels
October 12 – Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has called for a proper regulator and organiser in European football to address the structural issues in the game, including the widening financial inequality among clubs.
Wembley to focus on peace messaging rather than lighting the arch with Israeli flag
October 12 – The English Football Association is unlikely to mark the recent atrocities in Israel by lighting the Wembley arch in the colours of the Israeli flag when England take on Australia in a friendly on Friday.
UEFA postpones Israel’s Kosovo 2024 qualifier as travel ban keeps players on home soil
October 12 – UEFA has confirmed that the Euro 2024 qualifier between Kosovo and Israel has been postponed because of travel restrictions for Israeli national teams.
Rooney completes return to England, landing at Birmingham City
October 12 – Former England captain and Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has completed his managerial move to English Championship side Birmingham City on a three and-a-half-year contract.
UEC attacks ECA ‘plutocracy’ saying UEFA will have to recognise their voice
By Samindra Kunti in Brussels
October 11 – Attacking the European Club Association (ECA) once again, the Union of European Clubs (UEC) reiterated that with a critical mass of members, it will become a key stakeholder in the European game and represent the interests of the continent’s small and medium-sized clubs.
UEFA’s top table bows to MA pressure and takes Russian U17 return off the menu
October 11 – UEFA has axed its controversial plan to allow Russian under-17 teams back into its international competitions following a widespread backlash amongst its own member countries.
UEFA pushes Israel’s Euro 2024 qualifier vs Swiss into November
October 11 – Israel’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Switzerland has been postponed until November 15 following the deadly attacks by Hamas militants.
Samsunspor dispute FIFA sanction saying all debt have been paid
October 11 – Turkey’s Samsunspor have been handed a transfer ban by FIFA covering the next two transfer windows for non-payment due of wages and bonuses to former player Arvydas Novikovas.
UEFA rubber stamp UK and Ireland Euro 2028 hosting, but who will get automatic final slots?
October 10 – The UK and Ireland were today confirmed as joint hosts of Euro 2028 following a meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee amid considerable debate over how the qualification process will work.