Adidas makes peace with Moroccans over Algerian kit design
October 17 – German sportswear giant Adidas says a row with Morocco over a controversial new Algerian kit has been resolved, and that it regretted the controversy.
News
India’s U-17 women exit home World Cup finals after just two matches
By Samindra Kunti in Mumbai
October 17 – After shipping 11 goals in just two matches, India are once again out of their own U-17 World Cup. India’s U-17 women lost their second Group A match 3-0 to Morocco to exit the tournament early and leave question marks over the long-term development of the women’s game in India.
UEFA confirm France, Poland, Switzerland and Nordic bids for 2025 Women’s Euro hosting
October 24 – France, Poland, Switzerland and a quartet of Nordic countries will vie to land the hosting rights for the 2025 Women’s Euro, European governing body UEFA confirmed on Thursday.
Neymar back in court over hiding fees in transfer to Barca. Accusers demand 5-year jail term
By Andrew Warshaw
October 14 – Just weeks before leaving for the World Cup, Brazilian ace Neymar stands trial next week on fraud and corruption charges over his transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013.
Former Venezuelan FA boss and cronies sanctioned for graft
October 14 – A former president of Venezuela’s football federation (VFV) has been banned by FIFA for five years and fined more than $410,000 after being found guilty of financial corruption.
Political shape-shifting: FBI joins FIFA in Qatar, Emir and Putin declare their love
October 14 – In a remarkable turn round, the FBI and FIFA have teamed up to protect this winter’s World Cup in Qatar from potential crime including match-fixing.
FIFA chief hints at progress towards Qatar worker compensation package
October 14 – Through a high-ranking administrator, global governing body FIFA has suggested it’s considering compensation for migrant workers in Qatar who suffered human rights abuses in the build-up to the World Cup.
‘Hand of God’ ball to fetch £2.5m+ at auction
October 14 – The ball used by Diego Maradona to score his notorious ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal has been put up for auction by the Tunisian referee who was in charge of the game and missed the most infamous handball in history.
USA women hold on to top FIFA ranking spot despite European defeats
October 14 – The USA have retained their place at the top of the FIFA rankings and ahead of the World Cup 2023 draw in Auckland, New Zealand, later this month.
China, Spain and Japan set early pace at U-17 Women’s World Cup in India
By Samindra Kunti in Mumbai
October 14 – China and Spain took command of Group C at the U-17 Women’s World Cup after narrow opening-day wins against rivals Mexico and Colombia.
Pro-IRA-singing Irish women under UEFA investigation
October 14 – UEFA is investigating “potential inappropriate behaviour” by Republic of Ireland women’s players after they sang a pro-IRA chant following their World Cup play-off victory over Scotland.
Russia moves to integrate Crimean Premier League clubs despite UEFA’s cross-border ban
By Andrew Brown
October 13 – Russia is proceeding with its incorporation of the Crimean Football Union (CFU) and its eight Premier League clubs into Russia’s national football league, an action prohibited by UEFA.
Qatar 2022 chief tells England and Wales to focus on football, not politics
October 13 – World Cup boss Nasser Al Khater has said that England and Wales should focus on their teams’ preparations for the World Cup rather than demanding compensation for migrant workers or making political statements.
Irish women’s pro-IRA singing celebration lands them in hot water with UEFA
October 13 – The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and national team manager Vera Pauw have apologised for players singing a song with a pro-IRA chorus after they beat Scotland 1-0 and qualified for the women’s World Cup finals for the first time.
Spurs searching for £22m+ stadium rights naming deal with Google
October 13 – English Premier League Tottenham Hotspur are reported to have held talks with Google about a potential sponsorship of their £1 billion state-of-the-art stadium.