AEK fans heap more disgrace on Greek football, leaving Ajax fans battered and bloodied
November 28 – Just as Greek football is battling to re-instil confidence in its domestic game, violent AEK fans have heaped new disgrace on the Greek game.
Russian tensions forces UEFA to move Vorskla Poltava vs Arsenal to safer haven of Kiev
November 28 – The escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine off the coast of Crimea have spilled over into football with UEFA deciding to relocate Arsenal’s Europa League tie against FC Vorskla Poltava on Thursday to Kiev following the introduction of martial law in some parts of Ukraine.
Concacaf expands 2019 Gold Cup with first Costa Rican venue, Caribbean to also get games
November 28 – Concacaf will be taking its blue riband Gold Cup national team showpiece to Costa Rica for the first time in 2019.
FIFA and EA Sports launch first eFootball weekly global player ranking
November 28 – FIFA and EA Sports have launched the first global ranking platform of eFootball players that will be based on Weekend League performances and FIFA Global Series events. The first ranking was released this week with Joksan– toping the list with 850 ranking points.
Zurich voters greenlight long-awaited new stadium complex despite opposition
November 28 – A slim majority of voters in Zurich has greenlighted the construction of a new 18,000 all-seat football stadium in the city.
Malta draws Fantasy Sports big hitters for second summit on challenges facing DFS
November 28 – The second edition of the European Fantasy Sports Summit (EFSS)will be held in Malta tomorrow (November 29), as part of the Summit of iGaming Malta (Sigma).
AFC condemns Israeli military action in Palestinian football and calls for new Task Force
November 27 – The Asian Football Confederation Executive Committee has pledged its support to the Palestine Football Association (PFA) after the latest interference in their football jurisdiction by Israeli military forces.
FIFA’s Ethics overlords call for Iran action and Ethics transparency. Will FIFA listen?
November 27 – FIFA has been urged by its own human rights advisory panel to set Iran a deadline for lifting its ban on women attending male matches in order to put an end to gender discrimination.
Argentine’s president Macri promises crackdown on football mafia
November 27 – Argentina’s president has called for fresh laws that would crack down on football hooliganism in the wake of the twice-postponed Copa Libertadores second leg at the weekend.
Genoa takes the blame? City offers to host Boca vs River Plate Copa Libertadores final
November 27 – The Italian city of Genoa has offered to host the twice-postponed Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors, stressing the role immigrants from the city had in founding the two Buenos Aires arch rivals.
Russian roulette in Monaco? Rybolovlev celebrates his birthday with three 3 points
By Paul Nicholson
November 27 – Sometimes life can really get you down. Arrest in your tax haven home, suspicion you have been turned over to the tune of $1 billion in a series of fraudulent art deals, and seeing the football club you rescued from bankruptcy sitting next to bottom of a league you were at the top of a year ago would be enough to make even the most happy clappy Russian billionaire a little fed up.
French dominate European clubs, English barely lead in their own country, finds report
November 27 – French developed players dominate Europe’s Big 5 leagues with almost one in five minutes being played (19.7% of total minutes) by players who grew up in the country.
Liverpool dials in Mitel to speed up operations and boost fan engagement
November 27 – Premier League Liverpool has added global business communications provider Mitel, already a partner of club owner Fenway Sports Group’s Boston Red Sox major league baseball team in the US, as the club’s Official Global Unified Communications Partner.
Copa Libertadores chaos as violence forces double abandonment of River Plate vs Boca final
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – It should have been a celebration of the most prestigious and important club match of the entire South American football calendar, eagerly anticipated by millions of armchair television viewers as well as fans those of the two teams involved.
World Cup fever: Conmebol want to play every two years
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – In a move that seems likely to generate considerable opposition, especially in Europe, and smacks of financial vested interests, FIFA have been asked by Conmebol to consider staging the World Cup every two years.