FIFA keep control of Ghana in run-up to election of Nyantakyi replacement
October 8 – FIFA has extended the term of the Normalisation Committee that oversees Ghanaian football.
FIFA’s corruption catch-up programme bans El Salvadorian Vasquez for life
October 8 – Former El Salvador FA boss Reynaldo Vasquez is the latest high-profile official to be banned for life by FIFA.
BT unveils Wales deal as part of multi-year rebrand anchored in Home Nations football
October 8 – The Welsh FA has announced BT as its exclusive lead partner in a deal that will run until 2024.
Red is the colour as Labour takes aim with political football
By David Owen
October 8 – Flummoxed by Brexit and with a general election looming, Britain’s opposition Labour party has turned to the people’s game to try to build some much-needed political capital.
Azzurri turn green to mark football renaissance
By David Owen
October 8 – As we used to say in the TV era, “Do not adjust your set”: Italy really will be wearing green when they take on Greece in a European championship qualifier in Rome on Saturday night.
Man City blends sponsorship with retail product in Vejo deal
October 8 – Manchester City has announced health and wellness brand Vejo as the club’s Official Smart Blending Device Partner in a deal that will see co-branded retail product.
International breaks: Sylvinho pays the price at Lyon, Giampolo axed at AC Milan
October 7 – Brazilian coach Sylvinho has been dismissed by his club Olympique Lyon after Sunday’s derby defeat against local rivals AS Saint-Etienne and just one win in nine. At AC Milan, Marco Giampolo is also on the way out.
Serie A focusses on US as it seeks to boost its media footprint
October 7 – Italy’s Serie A has followed the lead of its Big 5 European league rivals LaLiga and Bundesliga, and opened an office in the US.
Lloris elbowed out of leading France and Spurs campaigns until next year
October 7 – France captain Hugo Lloris is out of action until the New Year after dislocating his elbow playing for his club Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
Tickets sold out in hours as Iran (almost) opens doors to women
By Andrew Warshaw
October 7 – Iranian women are reported to have snapped up thousands of tickets for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Cambodia following pressure from FIFA on the authorities to finally end the draconian ban on female fans attending men’s matches.
beoutQ box seller convicted of fraud in London but is it too little too late for sports rights?
By Paul Nicholson
October 7 – The growth of the beoutQ broadcast piracy operation that has seen the emergence of beoutQ-enabled set-top boxes being retailed in countries around the world suffered a derailment in a London court on Friday with the conviction of a shop owner on two charges of copyright theft and two charges of fraud.
Not their Best moment. FIFA under continued fire for Messi vote count
October 7 – The suspicion that FIFA rigged the vote for its Best Awards to ensure superstar Lionel Messi won for a sixth time refuses to go away, with Sudanese coach Zdravko Lugaroszic re-iterating that he didn’t vote for the Argentine despite FIFA listing him as having done so.
Police fear England fans will spark a Friday night to forget in Prague
October 7 – Police chiefs reportedly pleaded with UEFA to switch England’s Friday night Euro 2020 kick-off in Prague this week amid fears of alcohol-fuelled crowd trouble.
Forty Years On, Barcelona revoke Franco’s medals
By David Owen
October 7 – More than four decades after the dictator’s death, the members of Barcelona – slogan ‘More than a Club’ – have voted to revoke medals given to General Francisco Franco.
No baccy, booze stays, so do Big Macs and Coke. FIFA’s idea of a health kick
October 7 – FIFA and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have signed a four-year memorandum of understanding to promote a healthy lifestyle and ensure tobacco-free environments at football stadiums.