Korean war: No long lost love found as South Koreans tell of a brutal encounter
October 17 – South Korea’s players say their World Cup qualifier against North Korea in Pyongyang was physically brutal and included abusive language.
Tensions flare in Senegal over appearance money for Brazil match
By David Owen
October 17 – Tensions are reported between Senegalese players and the national federation over appearance money and travel conditions for the recent friendly against Brazil. According to France Football, citing in turn Senegalese media, the players turned down an appearance payment of €1,000, compared with the usual €1,150.
Sacramento poised to take MLS’s 29th expansion slot
October 17 – Sacramento’s long wait may have paid off with media reports suggesting the new club franchise will become the latest Major League Soccer (MLS) team.
IFAB to bang heads together on concussion protocols
October 16 – Concussion substitutes will be discussed next week by football’s law-making body to mirror the success of similar changes in Rugby Union in an attempt to improve player safety.
Catalan unrest unlikely to sway RFEF to reverse Barca vs Real Madrid this weekend
October 17 – Spanish football chiefs are reportedly likely to reject La Liga’s request to switch El Clasico on October 26 from Barcelona to Real Madrid because of the ongoing civil unrest throughout Catalonia.
Stoichkov sheds TV tears over Bulgaria’s abusive fans
October 17 – Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov was reduced to tears in response to the racist abuse dished out by Bulgaria’s fans towards England’s players during their Euro 2020 qualifier earlier this week.
Qatari’s pledge to end kafala in January
October 17 – In a key move that provides a significant political and psychological boost for Qatar’s World Cup organisers, the Gulf state has pledged to fully eliminate the antiquated and controversial kafala sponsorship system that ties foreign workers to their employer.
Scudamore back with Aussie advisory role as A-League sheds their FA
October 16 – Former Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has been parachuted into Australia’s A-League as a ‘special advisor’ in a bid to the clubs to turnaround the commercial fortunes of the country top professional competition.
Sancho and Sessegnon head global ranking of ‘experienced’ young players
October 17 – Two English players top an ‘experience’ ranking of young players. Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho (pictured) and Tottenham’s Ryan Sessegnon lead the way in a top 20 that has ten young players coming from Europe’s Big 5 leagues and four of them from England’s Premier League.
Ceferin calls for war in racists as Infantino says it is time to ‘eradicate’ the ‘obnoxious disease’
By Andrew Warshaw
October 16 – UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Bulgaria following the racist abuse towards England’s black players that made Europe-wide headlines while UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin insisted football alone cannot eradicate the problem.
Rapinoe ‘optimistic’ a pay deal can be done but says there will be no compromise
October 16 – US women’s football star Megan Rapinoe, who captured the hearts of her nation and millions more fans worldwide during the recent World Cup, says she’s “optimistic” that she and her fellow players can reach an agreement in their legal battle against the US Soccer Federation.
St Pauli axe Turkish midfielder Sahin for supporting war on Kurds
October 15 – Germany’s St Pauli have parted company with their Turkish midfielder Cenk Sahin, after he posted support of Turkey’s military offensive against the Kurds on social media. Sahin will return his old club Istanbul Basaksehir.
Infantino questions the Koreas over the World Cup qualifier media blackout
October 16 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino, one of the few people to attend the so-called “ghost derby” between North and South Korea on Tuesday, says he’s disappointed no fans were allowed to watch the World Cup qualifier that ended 0-0.
Bulgaria’s Mihaylov steps down after night of racist shame
October 16 – Bulgarian FA chief Borislav Mihaylov (pictured) resigned on Tuesday in the wake of the racism that marred his country’s Euro 2020 qualifier against England the previous day.
Spain wrap international window with last gasp Euro qualification goal
October 16 – Spain qualified for Euro 2020 with a last-gasp 1-1 draw away to Sweden. They join Belgium, Italy, Poland, Russia and Ukraine in next year’s finals.