Korean derby ends honours even
October 15 – It’s being described as the weirdest derby on the planet.
Saudis arrive in Palestine for symbolic match amid ‘sportwashing’ jibes
October 15 – Groups of Palestinian activists are denouncing using an historic match between their country and Saudi Arabia as ‘sportswashing’ to obscure the normalisation of the relationship between the Saudis and Israel.
Ecuadorian unrest threatens women’s Copa Libertadores
October 15 – A wave of political unrest in Ecuador has spilled over into football with world players’ union FIFPro calling for the women’s Copa Libertadores to be called off.
French politicians demand Turkey match called off in wake of Istanbul military salute
By David Owen
October 14 – French politicians are calling for tonight’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Turkey to be called off, in the wake of the Turkish players’ recent military-style salute after scoring against Albania.
Pirates stealing football’s gold. 8.9m people streamed illegally in UK, finds report
October 14 – The revelation last week that middle eastern broadcaster beIN Sport will now, as a result of piracy, be treating all its sports rights acquisitions as non-exclusive, and will be dropping prices accordingly, is a wake-up call to football’s rights owners.
Bulgarian coach Balakov says England are the real racists
October 14 – Tensions ahead of tonight’s European Championship qualifier between Bulgaria and England have been racked up after Bulgarian coach Krasimir Balakov accused England of having a bigger racism problem than his own country.
Andorra break their qualifying duck with 1-0 win over Moldova
October 14 – Tiny Andorra’s 21-year wait for a first European Championship qualifying win is over after they defeated Moldova 1-0 on Friday.
AFCON 2021 group qualifiers set after wins for Gambia, Chad, South Sudan and Sao Tome
October 14 – Gambia, Chad, South Sudan and Sao Tome (pictured) have advanced in qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Budweiser toast Juventus with three-year deal
October 14 – AB InBev brand Budweiser has been named as the official beer of the Italian giants Juventus in a deal running through to the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Performance data analysts PlayMaker becomes USL Preferred Supplier
October 14 – The United Soccer League (USL) that recently announced David Beckham’s Miami FC and MLS old-stager new England Revolution as entering development teams in its third tier League One division, has added performance data providers PlayerMaker as a ‘preferred partner’.
After 40 years, Iranian women take their seats to cheer their team in World Cup qualifier
By Andrew Warshaw
October 11 – It’s a significant and welcome breakthrough for the entire sport but let’s not get too carried away too soon.
Lukaku goals lead Belgium to being first to book place at Euro 2020 finals
October 11 – Belgium have become the first team to qualify for Euro 2020 after a 9-0 demolition job of amateurs San Marino.
Iraq celebrate return of home fixtures with 2-0 World Cup qualification win over Hong Kong
October 11 – It’s been a long road back but Iraq played their first competitive fixture on home soil in eight years on Thursday as they beat Hong Kong 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Basra.
Kosovo refuses Red Star Belgrade players entry to play Serbian Cup tie in Mitrovica
November 11 – In a fresh outbreak of regional geo-politics, Red Star Belgrade, Serbia’s leading team, was banned from entering Kosovo this week to play a Serbia Cup match against a local side, with the club’s bus prevented from crossing into the former Serbian province.
Afghanistan’s Aghazada banned for covering up sexual abuse scandal
October 11 – The former general secretary of the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), Sayed Aghazada, has been banned for five years by FIFA in the latest sanction relating to the country’s sexual abuse scandal.