LaLiga seeks greenlight for Barca vs Atletico US smash-and-grab raid in Miami
October 22 – Pressure is building on FIFA and the US Soccer Federation from LaLiga to sanction a regular season game in the United States.
World Football
Motsepe rubberstamps pay rises for member association presidents as CAF reports $9m loss
October 22 – Notwithstanding the fragile finances of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the continent’s top football officials have been granted a pay rise following approval by the organization’s general assembly.
US Soccer threatens its youth soccer eco-system with chaos over age-group date change
October 22 – In 2016 the United States Soccer Federation finally fell in line with the world in regard to youth soccer age classification. The previous system using the school calendar (August 1st cutoff) was consigned to the scrap heap and the birth year January (1st cutoff) became the defining factor.
Serbian police attached by FC Novi Pazar ultras locked out of stadium
October 22 – Six police officers were injured after FC Novi Pazar ultras attacked law enforcement officers before the Serbian league match against Partizan.
Barca agree 5-year deal with Mali’s Africa Foot to develop players
October 21 – FC Barcelona has announced a five-year partnership with Africa Foot, a second-division Malian club, to support the ‘technical and behavioural’ development of its players in a huge leap forward for Malian Football.
LFP condemns PSG fans for homophobic chanting
October 21 – The French football league (LFP) has condemned homophobic chanting by a section of Paris St Germain fans during Saturday’s win over Strasbourg.
Norberto de Castro cleared to challenge Artur de Almeida e Silva for Anglola FA presidency
October 21 – Norberto de Castro will stand against incumbent president Artur de Almeida e Silva (pictured) in the elections of the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) after the electoral commission confirmed his eligibility.
Coaching duo Cleber Xavier and Tite to part company
October 21 – After a 24-year-long partnership, Brazilian manager Tite and his assistant Cleber Xavier have parted ways with the latter choosing to pursue his own managerial ambitions.
Bekloppt? Mainz fans angry at Klopp’s new Red Bull gig
October 21 – Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has been criticised by fans of one of his other clubs, Mainz, for his decision to join energy drinks company Red Bull and oversee its international football network.
CAF refuses to account for missing $16m of expenses
October 21 – African football has been hit by further scandal after auditors looking at the books of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) discovered missing expense claims.
NWSL vs LigaMX. Inaugural W Champions Cup reaches semi-final stage
October 21 – The inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup has reached the semi-final stage with two Mexico vs USA match-ups and the final and third place match to be played at a centralised venue in May 2025.
Atletico to halt away ticket sales in bid to repair club image after racism sanctions
October 18 – Atletico Madrid say they will not sell tickets to season ticket holders for their next five away matches, a measure the club has taken on top of recent sanctions imposed by UEFA and the Spanish FA (RFEF).
UEFA draws play-off qualifiers for final three slots at Slovakia 2025 U-21 finals
October 18 – The U21 European Championship play-offs have been drawn at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, with six teams battling for the last three slots at next summer’s finals in Slovakia.
Pogba insists he is not a drugs cheat
October 18 – Former French international midfield star Paul Pogba has hit back at his critics by insisting he is not a drugs cheat after his original four-year ban was reduced to 18 months earlier this month by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The Don says his Apple deal is perhaps the world’s sweetest
October 18 – Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner, Don Garber in London speaking at The Summit, Leaders Week this week, hyped up the 10-year, $2.5 billion-plus agreement with Apple that is about to conclude its second season.