Flamengo fire Sampaoli, Tite favourite to take on coaching of Brazil’s biggest club
September 29 – Rio club Flamengo have dismissed their manager Jorge Sampaoli after his side failed to win the Copa do Brasil at the weekend.
World Football
Club protests force sacking of Serbian referees boss
September 29 – The Football Federation of Serbia (FSS) has sacked Referee Commission chairman Dejan Filipović following protests by several clubs over referee appointments for Serbian Super Liga matches. In addition to Filipovic, two members of the commission were removed, their places filled by four new members.
Morocco win 2025 AFCON hosting, joint Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda bid gets 2027
September 28 – Morocco will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football Confederation (CAF) confirmed on Wednesday. The East African triumvirate of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will stage the 2027 finals.
Ukraine calls for boycotts of U17 Euros after door opened for re-entry of Russian teams
September 28 – The anticipated backlash against UEFA’s decision to re-instate Russian under-17 teams into its international tournaments has started with Ukraine saying it will boycott any European youth competition that includes Russia and other countries lending their support.
Vilda added to Spanish investigators’ probe into sexual assault case
September 28 – Jorge Vilda, the former head coach of Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s team, is being investigated as part of the ongoing criminal case against Luis Rubiales.
MLS’s Seattle Sounders unveil new look as they approach 50th anniversary
September 28 – Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders have released the first images of the club’s new logo – the first branding change to the west coast side since 2008.
Player-down Fluminense battle to draw in Porto Alegre leg of Copa Libertadores semi
September 28 – Inspired by striker German Cano, Fluminense drew 2-2 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores final semi-final to keep their chances of reaching the final alive.
Gattuso replaces Marcelino at Olympique Marseilles
September 28 – Olympique Marseille have appointed Gennaro Gattuso as their new head coach following the resignation of Marcelino.
Chile bans betting sponsorship, killing new naming rights deal for top leagues
September 27 – Chile is cracking down on the betting industry in-country. Earlier this month the Supreme Court of Justice declared betting illegal and blocked 23 online betting sites.
Turks fire Ataturk Stadium management after players turn green
September 28 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has terminated with immediate effect its contract with the management company of the national stadium, the Atatürk Olympic Stadium.
UEFA moves to return U17 Russian teams to European competition
By Andrew Warshaw
September 27 – In a move likely to cause consternation among some of its members, UEFA has decided to end its blanket ban on Russian teams by allowing the country’s under-17 sides into its competitions from this season.
Italian prosecutors probe De Laurentiis over Osimhen transfer as player abused on social media
By Harry Ewing
September 27 – The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has entered Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis into its register of suspects, as the organisation investigates an accusation of false accounting linked to the purchase of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Lille in 2020.
Algeria pulls out of AFCON hosting bid with CAF to decide on 2025 and 2027 tomorrow
September 27 – Algeria have withdrawn their bid to host one of two future Africa Cup of Nations finals on the eve of the vote, the country’s football association confirmed on Tuesday.
Albania’s Duka replaces Rubiales as UEFA VP, congress moved from Madrid to Paris
September 27 – UEFA have appointed Amand Duka of Albania to replace disgraced former Spanish FA (RFEF) boss Luis Rubiales as one of its six vice-presidents.
Cyprus re-signs referee exchange programme with Croatian and Danish FAs
September 27 – The Cyprus Football Association (CFA) has renewed its referee exchange agreement with Croatia and Denmark for the 2023-2024 football season.