Pay equality: Norway raises women’s wages to match men’s team
October 9 – In a first for footballing financial equality, Norway’s male and female players are to receive the same amount for representing their country.
Egyptian joy as Salah winner books the Pharaohs a trip to Russia
October 9 – Mohamed Salah’s dramatic injury-time winner against Congo ended Egypt’s 28-year exile from the World Cup, sending the football-mad country into a massive celebration.
Ghana demand replay after match officials in Uganda qualifier rule out ‘perfect’ goal
October 9 – Ghana have sent an official protest to FIFA over a disallowed goal in their World Cup qualifier against Uganda in Kampala.
What can you buy for £25m? Bolton, their ground, a hotel and 40-acres of land
October 9 – Ken Anderson, owner of English Championship Bolton Wanderers will sell his 94.45% stake in Burnden Leisure, the club’s holding company, for £25 million.
World’s dumbest match-fixers? Refs banned after fixers go to police to claim money back
October 9 – In what is probably the most peculiar case of match-fixing to date, four match officials in Malawi have been banned after the fixers went to the authorities for help to get their money back after they didn’t get the result they wanted.
India set for debut on world football stage with all eyes on U17 opener vs the US
By Samindra Kunti in New Delhi, India
October 6 – India are set to make their World Cup debut in a historic opening match against the United States with Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, on hand to welcome teams.
Syria stay in 2018 World Cup qualification hunt with last gasp draw against Australia
By Andrew Warshaw
October 6 – The dream, remarkably, is still alive. Striker Omar Al Somah blasted home an 85th-minute penalty to keep war-torn Syria in the hunt for World Cup qualification as they drew 1-1 draw with Australia in the first leg of their Asian Football Confederation playoff.
Equatorial Guinea women banned from 2019 World Cup for fielding 10 Brazilians
October 6 – In a damaging blow to both the country itself and its regional African confederation, Equatorial Guinea have been kicked out of the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France for fielding no fewer 10 ineligible Brazilian-born players during qualifying for the 2016 Olympics.
Russia 2018 pushing the deadlines but FIFA confident build is on track
By Andrew Warshaw
October 6 – A FIFA technical team led by director of competitions Colin Smith has completed the latest inspection to Russia’s World Cup sites and reports that although preparations are on course a “significant” amount of work is still to be done over the next few months.
Newcastle loses court appeal as tax fraud investigation into player wages ramps up
By Paul Nicholson
October 6 – Newcastle United have lost the first legal round of the case against brought against them by the UK tax authorities. A court has ruled that the dawn raids on the club’s office on April 26 were legally authorised and that there are grounds to suspect the club has “systematically abused” the tax system.
UEFA probe into PSG spending opens with first interviews in Nyon
October 6 – UEFA’s investigation into whether Paris St Germain have broken financial fair play rules got under way this week with PSG officials summoned to UEFA’s headquarters, according to l’Equipe.
Have Argentina Mess(i’d) up? 2018 World Cup qualification on the brink
October 6 – The unthinkable – no Lionel Messi or Argentina at the World Cup – is seriously close to become a reality.
Le Graët tickled pink with new Orange deal for national teams
October 6 – The French Football Federation (FFF) has upgraded its deal with Orange who become a major sponsor of the national mens and womens teams in a four-year deal staring in 2018.
Free Tibet launch campaign against Tibet Water Resources deal with Liverpool
By Mark Baber
October 6 – Free Tibet have launched a campaign to press Liverpool FC to terminate a controversial sponsorship deal signed with Chinese water bottling company Tibet Water Resources Limited.
Wembley woe: Glenn said England had ‘mental frailty’, but didn’t he mean ‘marketing’
October 6 – England may have qualified for next year’s World Cup finals but that should fool no-one and their chances of success are next to nil judging by reaction to the last-gasp win over Slovakia that sealed their place in Russia.