Romanian elbowed out with 16-match ban for violent play
November 6 – A Romanian midfielder has been handed an unprecedented 16-match domestic ban for fracturing the eye socket of an opponent.
D’Hooghe in a spin on somersaults, but has he got this one straight?
By Ben Nicholson
November 6 – Following the tragic death of Peter Biaksangzuala, who suffered spinal injuries that proved to be fatal after celebrating a goal by attempting a back somersault, FIFA has moved to rid the game of somersaulting celebrations altogether.
Exclusive: Mayne-Nicholls says Nov-Dec 2022 must be a non-starter
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
November 5 – The man who led the official FIFA inspection team that evaluated the credentials of 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar says November-December must be ditched as a possible date for a winter tournament, warning it would cause untold chaos for the international calendar.
FIFA bans Italian President Tavecchio over racist remark
By Mark Baber
November 5 – FIFA have extended a ban on recently elected Italian football federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio worldwide for six months a racist comment he made in August.
Gornik Zabrze puts 6 month deadline on stadium upgrade
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
November 5 – Polish construction company PB Dombud has won the PLN 20.5 million (€5 million) contract to modernise Gornik Zabrze’s stadium. The upgraded and expanded stadium will be increased to a capacity of 31,871 spectators.
SAFA call on fans to hand in illegal guns for Meyiwa tribute
November 5 – South African football authorities have called on fans to surrender their illegal guns following the recent fatal shooting of national captain Senzo Meyiwa that shocked the entire nation.
Toure calls for end to racial twitter abuse as police investigate
November 5 – As racism in football shows no sign of abating in Russia and elsewhere in eastern Europe, the problem continues to tarnish the game in multi-cultural countries where racial tolerance is supposedly part of society – including England.
MLS TV viewing figures show rise on 2013, with new TV deal set to kick in
By Ben Nicholson
November 5 – MLS 2014 season TV viewership figures for ESPN show a slight rise from 2013, following the trend of increased attendance figures. However, excepting 2013, each year since 2006 has recorded more viewers than 2014, proving there is still much to do in terms of popularising the MLS on television.
Sexwale says No to boycott but Russia must also say NO to racism
November 5 – The issue of black players boycotting the 2018 World Cup in Russia because of racism has been raised once again, this time by renowned anti-apartheid campaigner Tokyo Sexwale who is a key FIFA adviser.
Tel Aviv derby turns violent and is abandoned at half time
November 5 – Israeli football usually makes the news when linked to the Middle East crisis but television pictures flashed around the world of dreadful scenes during the Tel Aviv derby have plunged the domestic game into disgrace.
Nigeria: FIFA lift ban threat but crisis continues
By Mark Baber
November 4 – FIFA have lifted the threat to suspend Nigeria after the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan persuaded the two warring factions in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to seek a compromise. As part of the deal, the Chris Giwa faction withdrew their court case which had led to a ruling that the election of the FIFA-backed faction had been invalid.
Andrew Warshaw: FIFA’s spygate opens new fronts of distrust and double-dealing
Why now, who leaked the information and what could the impact be on FIFA? Those are just three intriguing questions being asked in the wake of the stunning revelations in the New York Daily News that Chuck Blazer, who strode the corridors of power at FIFA for more than a generation, turned FBI informant to spy on several of his colleagues.
Matt Scott: FIFA now faces an altogether different spotlight
When FIFA awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar in favour of England and the United States it was a statement that resonated way beyond the confines of the world¹s football grounds and into the geopolitical sphere.
Lee Wellings: Groundhog Day for Qatar World Cup
One day at FIFA HQ, Zurich, I expect to see the familiar world weary face of actor Bill Murray on the path to the entrance, crouched on the steps peering into the flowers. Looking for a Groundhog. There have been more ‘Groundhog Days’ than I’d care to remember around the subject of, you know, begins with a Q. Ends in 2022. Well it will end at some stage of 2022, or even 2023. Who knows when exactly?
Palmeiras endure a roller-coaster ride in Centenary celebration season
By Ricardo Setyon
November 4 – Currently in their Centenary season, Palmeiras is the Brazilian club with the most deeply rooted links to Europe. But its 100th birthday is proving an unhappy one as it battles out of relegation danger, conflict with contractors over its new stadium, and poor finances that require a continual bail-out from its owner.