Fun-loving penguin, Tazuni, unveiled as Women’s World Cup 2023 mascot
October 19 – Tazuni, described as a fun, football-loving penguin, is the Official Mascot of the Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.
Indonesian president says Malang death stadium will be demolished and rebuilt
October 19 – Indonesia is to demolish and rebuild the stadium where a stampede killed more than 130 people, including more than 40 children, in one of the world’s worst football disasters.
Infantino says Qatar is ready to welcome the whole world for ‘best-ever’ World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
October 18 – In the face of continued western media scepticism, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and World Cup organisers are cranking up the public relations narrative, insisting to anyone who will listen that the tournament in Qatar will be remembered for all the right reasons.
New AFC Stadium takes a step closer with ground-breaking ceremony in Malaysia
October 18 – The progress towards the AFC’s own dedicated football stadium and complex took a big step forward with a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Independent report slams UCL final as an ‘abject failure’ saying it was lucky no-one died
October 18 – An independent panel has labelled UEFA’s handling of last season’s Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid as “an abject failure” and says it was lucky no-one died.
CBF demands tough sentences as fan violence escalates in Brazilian club game
October 18 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has condemned the growing fan violence in the club game following a series of incidents that have tarnished the game recently.
Benzema and Putellas top Ballon d’Or awards night in Paris
October 18 – For the first time in his illustrious yet often controversial career, Real Madrid’s French international forward Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or award for the best men’s player in the world on Monday, while Barcelona’s Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas retained her women’s crown.
Bayern Munich report tripling of profit as fans return to Allianz Arena
October 18 – FC Bayern Munich have reported a profit for the 2021/22 financial year was once again able to report a profit in the 2021/22 financial year despite the fact that the German champions had to play the majority of their home matches with restricted spectator capacity.
India’s exit at home U-17 Women’s World Cup exposes deep flaws in domestic game
By Samindra Kunti in Mumbai
October 18 – In a repeat of the U-17 World Cup in 2017, India will finish with the worst statistics of all participating teams at a home World Cup, following a 5-0 defeat in their final group game to Brazil, another harsh reality check and indictment of domestic football structures.
Emirates renews Real Madrid shirt sponsorship with 4-year, €70m deal
October 18 – UAE flag carrier Emirates has renewed as Real Madrid’s main shirt sponsor in a four-season deal that will run through to 2026to remain Spanish soccer giants’ main shirt sponsor until 2026.
Qatar to take over hosting of 2023 Asian Cup; India and Saudi Arabia shortlisted for 2027
By Paul Nicholson and Samindra Kunti
October 17 – Qatar will stage the 2023 Asian Cup, beating South Korea and Indonesia to the hosting that was originally scheduled for China.
Use of tear gas blamed for deaths of 130 in Indonesian stadium disaster
October 17 – The stampede that killed more than 130 people in the recent Indonesian stadium disaster was directly caused by tear gas, the country’s security minister has confirmed.
FIFA draws groups for 10-team Australia/New Zealand 2023 play-offs
October 17 – Portugal will have to defeat Cameroon or Thailand to ensure their presence at the 2023 Women’s World Cup following the draw for the playoffs, which will decide the final three spots for the global finals.
FIFA+ gets tech and sponsor boost with Globant multi-year deal
October 17 – FIFA has agreed a multi-year agreement with digital consultant and software provider Globant who will become the Global Platform Supporter of FIFA+, FIFA’s newly launched streaming platform.
Man City fans sing offensive chants, Liverpool fans throw coins on a tense day at Anfield
October 17 – Liverpool have condemned a section of the travelling Manchester City support for “vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies” during Sunday’s high-profile clash between the two Premier League heavyweights.