By Andrew Warshaw
November 18 – Two days to go and counting to the first and most probably last winter World Cup, staged slap bang in the middle of the domestic season. Like it or not, it’s happening but rarely, if ever, has so much attention been focussed on matters off as well as on the field.
November 18 – The umbrella organisation representing Europe’s top leagues have agreed to allocate €2.3 million to Ukraine to allow domestic competition there to continue in the wake of the escalating Russian invasion.
November 18 – With impeccable and perhaps deliberate timing to gain maximum publicity on the eve of the World Cup, FIFA has announced that its president Gianni Infantino is getting four more years at the helm of the organisation.
November 18 – In a severe blow to Aliou Cisse’s team, Senegal star striker Sadio Mané has been ruled out of the World Cup with a leg injury.
November 18 – Having terminated their broadcast and commercial rights deal with Super Sports Media over non-payment, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has quickly found a new partner in China with Beijing Shinai Sports Media Technology Co. Ltd.
November 17 – The shirts worn by the Netherlands team during the World Cup will be auctioned afterwards to support migrant workers in Qatar.
November 17 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has signed an MoU with the Croatian FA (HNS) to explore collaboration across all levels of the game.
November 18 – Italy’s Serie A is to open an office in the UAE in Abu Dhabi in January 2023 with the launch of the affiliate Lega Serie A Mena FZ-LLC.
November 17 – Football’s most-wanted, former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, has lost his appeal to the UK’s Privy Council and can be extradited from Trinidad to face multiple corruption charges in the US.
November 17 – UEFA has confirmed that it has received three preliminary bid dossiers to host Euro 2028 and 2032 following the deadline of 16 November.
November 17 – FIFA in collaboration with Fifpro have launched social media protection service for players at the World Cup Qatar 2022.
November 17 – Brentford striker Ivan Toney is facing a ban after being charged by the FA with 232 alleged breaches of betting rules.
November 17 – The German football federation (DFB) has said that it won’t back Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president, repeating its demand that a compensation fund for migrant workers in Qatar be established.
November 17 – Israel is urging its citizens travelling to the World Cup in Qatar to keep a low profile.
