Bad boy Aurier saves life, now he needs to work on saving his career
October 13 – Paris Saint-Germain and Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier has been praised for saving the life an opponent during a World Cup qualifier last weekend.
Fourth most-watched league in the world, the ISL, shakes up Indian market
By Samindra Kunti
October 13 – The Indian Super League, the ISL, is shaking up Indian football as the league may usurp the I-League as the country’s principal competition as early as 2018.
Roger Blanpain, FIFPro founding father and champion of player rights, dies aged 83
October 13 – At the age of 83, Roger Blanpain, one of FIFPro’s founding fathers and its first president, has passed away in Leuven, Belgium.
Russia 2018 (it’s still coming) names Simonyan as World Cup ambassador
October 13 – At last news from Russia that isn’t about doping, racist incidents or national team players going wild in Monaco nightclubs. Russia 2018 organiser have named Nikita Simonyan as a World Cup ambassador.
Doors closed on Legia appeal of fan ban for Real Madrid game
October 13 – UEFA have rejected Legia Warsaw’s appeal against a Champions League stadium ban meaning the Polish club will have to play Real Madrid behind closed doors on November 2.
Correction: Helvetic Services and FC Lugano
October 13 – The allegations surrounding Helvetic Services Group and their links with Swiss football and player agents have been clarified in the case of FC Lugano.
Arsenal out gun Man Utd on Twitter but Red Devils dominate Facebook
By Paul Nicholson
October 12 – Arsenal, for the first time in a year, have topped Manchester United in the weekly Twitter followers growth chart, though they still remain behind the Manchester giants by almost 700,000 followers overall.
UN sports guru Lemke tells FIFA to bring Israeli clubs in Palestine into line
By Andrew Warshaw
October 12 – As FIFA’s enlarged ruling Council prepares to meet for the first time, the United Nations official responsible for sport has written to the organisation re-iterating that a solution must be found as soon as possible regarding Israeli league teams situated in occupied territory.
Copa Libertadores revamps with addition of 6 more teams for 2017
By Samindra Kunti
October 12 – Brazil will be the biggest winner of CONMEBOL’s decision to expand its top club competition, the Copa Libertadores, by six teams. Brazil will have two more representatives in the expanded competition, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.
From dark to light. Tite’s Brazil return to top World Cup qualifying table
By Samindra Kunti
October 12 – Brazil have moved top of the South American qualifying group for the Russia 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Venezuela. Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and Chelsea’s Willian were on target.
Man Utd toast renewal of long-running Concha y Toro deal
October 12 – Good wine matures with age and so do good sponsorship deals. Manchester United and Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro have renewed their global partnership for a further three years. No figure was announced for the sponsorship.
New Zealand’s Bareman to head FIFA’s new Women’s Football Division
By Andrew Warshaw
October 12 – With precision timing just as FIFA president Gianni Infantino prepares to preside over the first full meeting of his expanded ruling Council, FIFA has announced the appointment of Sarai Bareman as its first ever Chief Women’s Football Officer.
Tebas re-elected to lead Spain’s La Liga for second term
October 12 – Outspoken Spanish league president Javier Tebas, who has refused to condemn third party ownership despite widespread opposition to the practise, has been handed a second four-year term.
Dutch unions sue FIFA over migrant worker rights on Qatar 2022 build
By Andrew Warshaw
October 11 – In an unprecedented move, FIFA is facing a lawsuit over the exploitation of migrant workers in Qatar on construction sites as the Gulf state intensifies preparations for the 2022 World Cup.
Former FIFA judge Damiani caught up in Argentine probe into Swiss money laundering
By Paul Nicholson
September 1 – Argentine investigations into corruption and money laundering by former President Néstor Kirchner between 2003 and 2008 look set to touch on FIFA and at least one of its former officials, as well football investments within the Swiss market.