Reconstruction of Inter Milan continues with creation of women’s first team
October 24 – It has taken 110 years and a new Chinese owner, but Italian and European giants Inter Milan have finally have pledged to start a women’s first team.
Infantino takes whistle-stop tour of fast-completing Qatar 2022 infrastructure
October 24 – Qatar 2022 World Cup infrastructure was given a flying inspection visit by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, en route to the FIFA Council meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, later this week.
FIFA and Infantino bring the $25bn world game Saudi sell-off proposal back to Council
By Andrew Warshaw
October 23 – The global outcry surrounding Saudi Arabia in the wake of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi will be the elephant in the room when Gianni Infantino’s plans to radically change the game’s global landscape is discussed by the FIFA Council later this week.
Ronaldo ‘confident’ that ‘truth’ will triumph in Mayorga rape allegations
October 23 – Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence over the rape allegations against him saying his “lawyers are confident” and that the truth will come out.
Gravina takes Italian FA hot seat promising to relaunch the national game
October 23 – Italy has a new federation (FICG) president with Gabriele Gravina (pictured) elected on Monday almost a year after the departure of his predecessor.
Argentina’s Tapia takes seat at FIFA’s top table
October 23 – Four years after the death of Julio Grondona, once the second-most powerful man in world football, Argentina has temporarily regained a place at the top table of FIFA.
DFL launches Virtual Bundesliga with call for club entries for Jan 2019 kick off
October 23 – Germany’s DFL will kick off its first esports league, the VBL Club Championship (Virtual Bundesliga), on the EA Sports FIFA 19 platform in January next year. Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 teams have until December 21 to register teams.
UK tax collectors target player image rights deals
October 23 – The UK tax authorities are following the Spanish lead and focussing on payments to players for their image rights that have not been declared for tax. The payments are made separate to the player’s salary and are often taken outside the UK by companies holding the rights, rather than directly to the players or managers.
End of era for host broadcasting as Tellier steps down at HBS
By David Owen
October 23 – Next month will bring the end of a football broadcasting era, with Francis Tellier set to step down as chief executive of Host Broadcast Services (HBS) after almost two decades.
Boost for SPFL as Betfred extends Scottish League Cup title sponsorship
October 22 – Bookmaker Betfred has agreed a one-year extension to its title sponsorship of the Scottish League Cup taking the company through to the end of the 2019/20 season.
AFC leaders pay tribute to passing of Peter Velappen, 83
October 22 – Asian football is mourning the death of former Asian Football Confederation general secretary Peter Velappen, for years the public face of Asian football, with the tributes led by AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
Media attacker Rummenigge bites the hand that feeds him
October 22 – Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has launched an unprecedented attack on the media for their criticism of the German giants, even citing the country’s constitution.
European Leagues call on UEFA to cut CL places for Big 4 leagues and redistribute wealth
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Bemoaning the fact that Europe’s top 14 clubs pocket around half the revenue on offer from the Champions league, the umbrella organisation for Europe’s major leagues have renewed their call to UEFA to impose greater competitive balance between the haves and have-nots.
PSG esports builds in China with joint LGD Gaming team to play FIFA Online
October 22 – Paris Saint-Germain has expanded its esports division partnership with Chinese esports organisation LGD Gaming to form a FIFA Online team as it builds its brand presence on the continent.
US Club Soccer launches Players First grassroots licensing system
October 22 – Amateur club organisation US Club Soccer, which has more than 4,000 members across the US, has launched a club certification system based on its Players First philosophy.