FIFA’s Task Force Football 2014 disbands
By Andrew Warshaw
October 31 – A star-studded FIFA panel charged with finding ways to make the game more of a spectacle in time for the next World Cup in Brazil has been disbanded.
Serbian police issue criminal charges following England match
By Andrew Warshaw
October 31 – Serbian police have filed criminal charges against 12 players, fans and officials, including three from England, following last month’s explosive European under-21 playoff encounter that was marred by allegations of racism and a post-match melee.
Scot chosen as new coach of US women’s football team
By Duncan Mackay
October 30 – Former Blackpool and Torquay United player Tom Sermanni is to take over as coach of the United States Olympic gold medal winning women’s football team, it was announced today.
FA launches investigation into Clattenburg’s “inappropriate language”
By Andrew Warshaw
October 30 – The English Football Association (FA) has launched an official investigation into allegations against FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg for allegedly using bad language towards two Chelsea players in Sunday’s (October 28) explosive Premier League clash with Manchester United.
PAOK forced to play three matches behind closed doors after riot
By Andrew Warshaw
October 30 – Greek club PAOK Salonika have been ordered to play their next three European home games behind closed doors after losing an appeal against sanctions imposed by UEFA following a riot in August.
Messi and Ronaldo go head-to-head for Ballon d’Or
By Andrew Warshaw
October 30 – Lionel Messi is favourite to pick up a fourth consecutive FIFA World Player of the Year award after being selected among 23 candidates for the prestigious annual prize.
Villa backs campaign for safe standing areas
By Andrew Warshaw
October 30 – Aston Villa have become the first English Premier League club to publicly back a supporters’ campaign to bring back safe standing areas on a limited and experimental basis – but look certain to encounter strong opposition.
Premier League secures new US deal with NBC
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – The English Premier League, already the richest in the world, has now signed a massive three-year deal with NBC to televise games in the United States starting next season.
Nokia India strikes deal with Barcelona
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – In the first sponsorship arrangement of its kind, Barcelona have joined forces with Nokia India, a landmark breakthrough for a country traditionally more associated with cricket than football.
Chelsea lodges complaint against Clattenburg’s “inappropriate language”
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – English football’s domestic racism problems, which appeared to be gradually subsiding, have been plunged into fresh controversy with Premier League leaders and European champions Chelsea lodging a formal complaint of “inappropriate language” by referee Mark Clattenburg during yesterday’s highly charged 3-2 home defeat by Manchester United.
Exclusive: FIFA regulations could rule out a Qatar 2022 winter World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – The global clamour for the 2022 World Cup to be switched to the winter to avoid Qatar’s stifling desert heat could be scuppered – by FIFA’s own regulations.
Berlusconi’s jail sentence mounts further pressure on AC Milan
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – The conviction and jail sentence of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud has heaped further pressure on AC Milan, which the 76-year-old media mogul has owned for 26 years.
Polish Sports Minister keeps job despite offering resignation over “roofgate”
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – Polish Sports Minister Joanna Mucha is keeping her job despite offering her resignation over the embarrassing postponement of the recent FIFA World Cup qualifier with England.
Napoli hit with latest match-fixing allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – Serie A club Napoli have been charged by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in the latest dramatic development in the country’s long-running match-fixing saga.
Andrew Warshaw: Will UEFA come down on Serbia enough to cut out racism in football once and for all?
Throughout this week, UEFA has been trying to spread the message that racism – indeed any form of discrimination – has no place in European football.
Champions League and Europa League games were dedicated to transmitting the message that the fight against racism will be given utmost priority.
The campaign could not have been more timely, with racism at the forefront of the game following not only the John Terry affair but,