ECA to host workshop on new financial sustainability rules
November 11 – The European Club Association (ECA) is to host its first workshop on financial sustainability next week with more than 130 delegates expected in Geneva, Switzerland.
Top transfer targets in winter window outside Big-5. Eredivisie braced for raid on players
November 11 – The CIES Football Observatory has completed an analysis of 100 players outside the big-5 who have not yet turned 25 with the highest estimated transfer value.
Spurs cut licensing deal with premium US outdoor brand YETI
November 11 – Premier League Tottenham Hotspur has agreed a three-year licence agreement with outdoor product brand YETI.
Can football deal with winter World Cup chaos?
November 11 – There are mixed opinions about the World Cup being held in late November and December. It’s created a domestic league situation the likes of which we haven’t seen. Even countries that haven’t qualified for the finals are being affected and are seeing their domestic league seasons fractured.
ECA’s Al-Khelaifi slams clueless A22 Super League rebels, advocates reform not self-destruction
November 11 – European Club Association chair and PSG boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi, speaking at the UEFA Convention – Future of European Football, the day after European stakeholders met with Super League breakaway protagonists A22, gave a hard-hitting assessment of the group who he said “proved yesterday that they just don’t understand football and itsecosystem”.
Qataris ‘frustrated’ at Netflix documentary allegation that they bought votes for 2022 hosting
November 10 – Qatar’s World Cup organisers have again strenuously denied claims by a former whistleblower that the country offered cash for votes in order to land the tournament.
Qatar Airways boss flies into Qatar 2022 debate promising to rub salt into wounds of critics
November 10 – Qatar Airway CEO Akbar Al Baker (pictured) has hit back at the critics of the World Cup host nation, stressing that his nation will “always rub salt into the wound” of its adversaries.
Martinez picks injured Lukaku for Belgian squad, aiming for second phase impact
November 10 – Romelu Lukaku will be heading to Qatar, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez confirmed on Thursday, naming his 26-men World Cup squad. The Spaniard also sprang a few surprises at the back, including Zeno Debast, Wout Faes and Arthur Theate.
Motsepe and CAF tow the company line on Infantino’s ‘shut-up-and-play’ message
November 10 – Unsurprisingly, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have pulled their weight behind Gianni Infantino’s highly controversial ‘shut-up-and-play’ message to the 32 World Cup finalists on the eve of the tournament.
French judge calls for probe into Vinci labour abuses on Qatari construction projects
November 10 – A French judge has placed Vinci Construction Grands Projets, a unit of French construction group Vinci, under formal investigation over allegations it violated the rights of migrant workers in Qatar.
France hit by injuries as Deschamps names 25-man squad for Qatar 2022
November 10 – French coach Didier Deschamps has named only a 25-man squad for the World Cup, despite being able to select one more, and has included Raphael Varane even though the Manchester United defender tore his hamstring last month.
Ecuadorian president to skip World Cup opener against Qatar to attend to unrest at home
November 10 – His country having just been cleared to play in the World Cup despite an appeal by Chile and Peru that they should have been thrown out for fielding an eligible player in qualifying, Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso (pictured) has decided not to attend the high profile opener against Qatar, citing domestic unrest.
Football Australia builds Legacy ’23 programme one brick at a time, starting with LEGO
November 10 – 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosts Football Australia have agreed a multi-year sponsorship with LEGO Australia to become the first official partner of Football Australia’s Legacy ’23 programmes.
Saudi Arabia extends World Cup visa plan with ‘Hayya with Me (1+3)’ programme
November 10 – Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Authority has extended its own use of the Hayya Card – the mandatory card that allows fans entry to Qatar for the World Cup – to include three more people travelling with the car holder (‘Hayya with Me (1+3)’).
Ecuador cleared for Qatar 2022 opening game after CAS rules Castillo was eligible
By Andrew Warshaw
November 9 – World Cup organisers are breathing a sigh of relief after Chile’s protracted appeal to have Ecuador thrown out of the competition was rejected at the 11th hour by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).