Nikolov follows through on promise and pulls out of Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna
October 8 – The owner of the Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna, Pavlin Nikolov, has withdrawn from the club for the second time in a month and pulled all his financing .
ECJ ruling on Diarra case threatens stability of transfer market
October 7 – It’s been described by some experts as Bosman Mark 2 and could have significant implications for years to come.
Pogba to return next August after CAS reduces his doping ban
October 7 – French international Paul Pogba, once the golden boy of his country’s midfield but whose career took a dramatic downward turn, says his “nightmare is over” after a four-year ban for doping was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
AFC increases its firepower in fight against match-fixing with IBIA co-operation
October 7 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) to combat match fixing in the Asian region.
FIFA pushes for expanded Women’s finals at 2028 Olympics and addition of Futsal and Beach Soccer
October 7 – FIFA has announced it will propose expanding the women’s Olympic soccer tournament from 12 teams to 16, as well as the addition of futsal and beach soccer to the games in a mission to further elevate women’s football and diversify the sport’s Olympic offerings.
SPFL turnover rises to record £44.3m
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October 7 – The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has reported a significant financial boost, with its 2023/24 turnover rising by £2.4 million (6%) to reach a record £44.3 million.
French fans critical of Mbappe for putting club before country
October 7 – Rarely out of the news, French superstar Kylian Mbappe is facing criticism for skipping Les Bleus’ Nations League games against Israel and Belgium while still being available to play for Real Madrid.
Palestine FA put their faith in the FIFA’s Ethics bodies to achieve a ‘just outcome’
October 6 – The Palestine Football Association (PFA), which has lost pretty much every political battle with its Israeli neighbours in the football politics arena, have nevertheless ‘welcomed’ the FIFA Council’s decision to refer their case to FIFA’s Ethics bodies.
TIM exits Serie A but dials in Milan double with Inter sponsorship added to AC Milan deal
October 7 – Reigning Serie A Champions Inter Milan have announced a new partnership with TIM, which will see the broadcast provider become the club’s Official Telco Partner.
US Soccer revenue tops $200m as commercial revenue grows rapidly to $110m
October 7 – For nearly 20 years the fortunes of US Soccer from a commercial and marketing standpoint were tied with SUM (Soccer United Marketing), the MLS-owned agency. That deal officially ended on December 31, 2021, when the US Soccer Federation (USSF) moved their operations in-house, although they did not take full responsibility until the start of 2023.
Dead man walking? Another seven days of not enough from Ten Hag?
October 7 – There are two jobs in English football that are simply the ‘impossible jobs’. One of course is to be the England National team manager, and the other…the hot seat at Manchester United.
Concacaf’s Central American and Caribbean Cups reach semi-final stage
October 7 – Concacaf’s two regional club cup competitions in Central America and the Caribbean have now reached the semi-final stages with the two-leg ties scheduled for the end of this month.
The end of an era? Is Gary Lineker’s MOTD tenure a wrap?
October 7 – Gary Lineker, former England striker, and face of football for the BBC for the last 25 years, is rumored to be on his way out of being an integral part of England’s media landscape.
FIFA kicks potential landmark ruling on Israel’s suspension into the rubble of Gaza
October 4 – Just when it looked like FIFA might finally take a giant courageous leap by siding with the Palestinian cause in the Middle East, procrastination was again the name of the game.
RFEF sanctions Atletico with partial stand closure and €50K fine for Madrid derby chaos
October 4 – The Spanish Football Federation have punished Atletico Madrid with a partial stadium closure for three matches. They have also been handed a fine of $50,000 after crowd trouble halted Sunday’s La Liga game against city rivals, Real Madrid, for almost 20 minutes.