Botev Plovdiv strike a chord with Radioplay Media
October 30 – Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv has signed a partnership with the largest and independent radio group in Bulgaria, Radioplay Media for the joint promotion of events and products.
Italy and Newcastle’s Tonali hit with 10-month ban for betting on matches
October 27 – Newcastle United’s Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali, who cost £55 million just a few months ago, has been banned for 10 months over breaches of rules on betting on matches in Italy.
European Leagues boss critical of FIFA’s ghosting of professional game over calendar
October 27 – The head of the European Leagues, the umbrella body for leagues across the continent, has re-iterated criticism of football’s governing bodies – in particular FIFA – for failing to consult with his members over the expansion of the international calendar.
FIFA set to name 2026 finals host as New York and Dallas go head-to-head and Kroenke fumes
By Paul Nicholson
October 27 – If the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026 matches the no-holds barred drama and competitiveness of the US cities battling in the high-stakes race to host the final, then it really could be a best-ever World Cup for FIFA.
EAFC 24 debuts with staggering 1.6bn matches played in first month
October 27 – Electronic Arts Sports have revealed a series of staggering launch statistics for its EAFC 24 game in its first month of release.
Fowler fired from high flying Al-Qadsiah as country hunts for new women’s coach
October 27 – Ex-Liverpool and England star Robbie Fowler has been sacked from his position as head coach at Saudi second-tier side Al-Qadsiah, despite being unbeaten and having won manager of the month inside of his first eight games in charge.
Man Utd revenue hits £648m as wage bill and losses reduced
October 27 – Manchester United have reported record revenue of £648.4 million for the 2022/23 financial year, but posted a loss of £42 million, slashing its net loss by 75% year-on-year.
Man City bans two fans for offensive chanting after death of Bobby Charlton
October 27 – Manchester City have banned two fans from home and away games for “vile chanting” following the death of Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
Inter shareholders approve accounts as focus sharpens on club-owned stadium plans
October 26 – Inter Milan shareholders have approved accounts for the 2022/23 financial year that show turnover up year-on-year by €60 million to €425 million and annual losses reduced to €85 million from €140 million the previous year.
Argentina keep hold of World Ranking top spot, Portugal move up within the top 10
October 27 – World champions Argentina remain top (1861 points) of the World Rankings after two wins from two in the second round of Conmebol World Cup 2026 qualifiers, as the Albiceleste cruised past Paraguay and Peru without conceding a goal.
Tunisia’s Al Jari arrested on suspicion of fraud
October 27 – Wadi Al Jari, the president of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF), has been arrested on suspicion of financial corruption.
Swiss investigators drop criminal investigation into Infantino and his secret meetings
October 26 – It was just the decision he had been waiting for and he milked it with all the self-congratulation he could muster.
Jamaica, with their 2023 World Cup refusing to play, stumble at W Gold Cup’s first qualifying hurdle
October 26 – Jamaica’s womens team, without a single player from their stand-out 2023 World Cup squad, lost their first 2024 W Gold Cup qualifier 2-1 away to Panama at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City.
Celtic fans fly Palestinian flags before Champions League clash with Atletico
October 26 – Hundreds of Celtic fans defied their own club’s request and paraded a giant display of Palestinian flags before their Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Former PGMOL Hackett blows whistle on declining referee standards
October 26- Former head of English referees Keith Hackett has slammed “lazy” Premier League referees and called for Rugby-style sin bins to be introduced into football to combat cheating.