FIFA set to end big club warehousing of top youth talent with cap on loans
November 30 – FIFA finally look set to stop cash-rich clubs, like Chelsea, hoarding the best young players to the detriment of everyone else.
FIFA Ethics ban former Sao Tomean FA boss Dende for corruption and fine him CHF75k
November 30 – FIFA’s ethics committee has imposed a four-year ban on Manuel Dende (pictured second left in happier times), former president of the Sao Tomean Football Association, for accepting a bribe believed to be from former Asian confederation chief and FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.
Home from home: Mexico agree 4-year deal to play in Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium
November 30 – The Mexican football federation (FMF), which has long been touring the US with its national team, has agreed a deal with the Dallas Cowboys, MLS’ FC Dallas, and the Dallas Sports Commission to make the AT&T Stadium its official home in the US four the next four year.
CAF 2018 Player of the Year nominees dominated by overseas club players
November 30 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the names of the nominees for its annual awards with 34 men and 15 women vying for the African Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year awards.
AFC’s awards spectacular celebrates sees big wins for China, Japan and Qatar
By Paul Nicholson in Muscat, Oman
November 29 – Defenders don’t generally win matches, they save them. Certainly they rarely get recognised when it comes to giving out awards. Qatar’s Abdelkarim Hassan struck a blow for central defenders worldwide when he beat two of Japan’s Asian Champions League winning stars to pick up the AFC Men’s Player of the Year Award.
Copa LibertaDoha: Qatar favourite to host Conmebol’s suspended final
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – Qatar, which has staged a number of international matches featuring overseas teams, is emerging as a possible venue for the twice-postponed Copa Libertadores showdown between River Plate and Boca Juniors following Conmebol’s decision to play the decisive second leg outside of Argentina.
North Africans call for AFCON switch from Cameroon to Morocco
November 29 – Cameroon’s hosting of the upcoming African Nations Cup is back in the balance after the north African grouping of football nations called for the tournament to be switched to Morocco.
Match fixing: $150k offered to three Belgian women’s youth players to fix game
November 29 – Three players from Belgium’s U16 women’s team were approached in a match fixing attempt during an international tournament this year, the Belgian FA (KBVB) has revealed.
Hayatou vows to fight ‘grotesque’ $27.9m fine from Egyptian court over Lagardere contract
November 29- Issa Hayatou, former President of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), has launched a scathing attack on the huge fine imposed on him by an Egyptian court over a broadcasting deal for Africa’s football governing body, insisting the decision was politically motivated.
FIFA ethics deputy chair Rajoo quits after Malaysian arrest
November 29 – Just days after he was arrested and temporarily suspended, FIFA has lost a key governance official following Sundra Rajoo’s decision to resign as one of the deputy chairmen of the FIFA’s Ethics Adjudicatory Chamber, a position he has only held since last year.
Who wants some? Boca vs River Plate Copa Libertadores final to be moved outside Argentina
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – In an unprecedented step that further tarnishes the reputation of one of the most eagerly awaited club fixtures of the season and the biggest in South America, Conmebol has decided to move the twice postponed Copa Libertadores final second leg between River Plate and Boca Juniors to a neutral venue outside of Argentina.
Dortmund bus bomber handed 14-year jail term
November 28 – The man who bombed the Borussia Dortmund team bus last season for the bizarre reason of trying to make money on the club’s shares crashing has been handed a 14- year jail sentence for attempted murder.
AEK fans heap more disgrace on Greek football, leaving Ajax fans battered and bloodied
November 28 – Just as Greek football is battling to re-instil confidence in its domestic game, violent AEK fans have heaped new disgrace on the Greek game.
Russian tensions forces UEFA to move Vorskla Poltava vs Arsenal to safer haven of Kiev
November 28 – The escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine off the coast of Crimea have spilled over into football with UEFA deciding to relocate Arsenal’s Europa League tie against FC Vorskla Poltava on Thursday to Kiev following the introduction of martial law in some parts of Ukraine.
Concacaf expands 2019 Gold Cup with first Costa Rican venue, Caribbean to also get games
November 28 – Concacaf will be taking its blue riband Gold Cup national team showpiece to Costa Rica for the first time in 2019.