Dutch legend Johan Neeskens dies, aged 73
October 8 – Johan Neeskens, part of the Ajax and Netherlands teams that created “total football” in the 1970s and a key team-mate of Johan Cruyff, has died aged 73.
World Football
AC Milan launch Hall of Fame as part of 125th anniversary celebrations
October 8 – AC Milan has announced the launch a Hall of Fame, in tandem with premium sponsor partner Emirates, as part of the club’s 125th-anniversary celebrations.
No Angels. NWSL’s LA powerhouse fined for breaking salary caps, top execs sanctioned
October 8 – Late last week the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) announced that Angel City FC would be punished for circumventing the league rules around salary caps.
French fans critical of Mbappe for putting club before country
October 7 – Rarely out of the news, French superstar Kylian Mbappe is facing criticism for skipping Les Bleus’ Nations League games against Israel and Belgium while still being available to play for Real Madrid.
US Soccer revenue tops $200m as commercial revenue grows rapidly to $110m
October 7 – For nearly 20 years the fortunes of US Soccer from a commercial and marketing standpoint were tied with SUM (Soccer United Marketing), the MLS-owned agency. That deal officially ended on December 31, 2021, when the US Soccer Federation (USSF) moved their operations in-house, although they did not take full responsibility until the start of 2023.
Concacaf’s Central American and Caribbean Cups reach semi-final stage
October 7 – Concacaf’s two regional club cup competitions in Central America and the Caribbean have now reached the semi-final stages with the two-leg ties scheduled for the end of this month.
RFEF sanctions Atletico with partial stand closure and €50K fine for Madrid derby chaos
October 4 – The Spanish Football Federation have punished Atletico Madrid with a partial stadium closure for three matches. They have also been handed a fine of $50,000 after crowd trouble halted Sunday’s La Liga game against city rivals, Real Madrid, for almost 20 minutes.
Inter Miami wins first Supporters’ Shield; Messi wins major title number 46
October 3 – Inter Miami won their second major trophy and 1st MLS Supporters Shield after beating the Columbus crew 3-2, thanks to two goals from the GOAT, Lionel Messi.
Romanians partner with data specialists Hudl to boost performance
October 4 – The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has signed a €1.2 million partnership with the American company Hudl.
Swiss prosecutors pursue fraud and forgery probe into key Infantino foot soldier Mosengo-Omba
October 3 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) secretary general Véron Mosengo-Omba is having a bad couple of months. Fribourg prosecutor’s office is investigating a series of suspicious payments made to Swiss bank accounts. The news follows a CAF audit report that called for his suspension.
Concacaf agrees all-competition equipment and apparel deal with Macron through 2030
October 3 – Concacaf have agreed a six-and-a-half year partnership with Italian sportswear brand Macron, who become the confederation’s official sports equipment and apparel partner.
Italy are fifth bidder to enter race for Women’s Euro 2029 hosting
October 3 – Italy have entered the race to host the 2029 UEFA European Championships. The Italians will now be competing with Germany, Poland, Portugal, and a joint Denmark-Sweden bid to compete for the right to host Europe’s marquee international women’s tournament.
Cissé fired from Senegal after government requests his contract is not renewed
October 3 – Senegal coach Aliou Cissé, who led his country to an Africa Cup of Nations title and the past two World Cup tournaments, has lost his job seemingly after government intervention.
Maradona remains to be relocated to public mausoleum in Buenos Aries
October 3 – A court in Argentina has authorised plans for the relocation on “humanitarian and emotional” grounds of Diego Maradona’s remains from a private cemetery so they can be placed at a public mausoleum under construction in Buenos Aires.
CAF VP Soulieman Waberi arrested as Djiboutian police swoop on football officials
October 2 – Djiboutian police swooped on the country’s football officials on Monday night (September 30), arresting several key figures including interim president of the Djiboutian Football Federation (FDF), Mohamed Yasin, and former president and the third vice-president of CAF, Souleiman Waberi.