Qatar set for Arab Cup kick off and another test of 2022 readiness
November 30 – Mauritania and Tunisia kick off the FIFA Arab Cup tonight, a tournament that will serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2022 World Cup organisers.
CWC draw lines up potential Chelsea vs Al Hilal and Palmeiras vs Monterrey semis
November 30 – FIFA has held the draw for the seven-team Club World Cup 2021 in the UAE that will open on February 3 with local team Al Jazira against the OFC’s Auckland City FC from New Zealand.
FIFA tightens grip on Africa with normalisation committees in Chad and Guinea
November 30 – FIFA has appointed normalisation committees in Chad and Guinea, the latest two African countries unable to run their own footballing affairs. The FIFA-appointed officials will oversee elections in both national associations.
Interim Rangnick signs up for 3-year Man Utd project
November 30 – Eight days after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United have formally confirmed that Ralf Rangnick (pictured) will be their interim manager until the end of the season.
Qatar to host OFC nations for centralised 2022 World Cup qualifying
Sobaclieu.com
November 30 – Qatar will host the 2022 Oceania World Cup qualifiers featuring eight participants following the withdrawal of both Samoa and American Samoa, FIFA have announced.
FIFA trialling Arab Cup with new semi-automated VAR system
November 30 – The use of technology to help officials detect offside more accurately is being trialled at the Arab Cup, which starts today in Qatar.
Head thinking: UEFA draws up concussion charter
November 30 – European governing body UEFA has drawn up a concussion charter to educate stakeholders in the game and promote good concussion management.
Third Norwegian journalist detained in Qatar
November 30 – In the build-up to the 2022 World Cup and with press coverage intensifying on the hosts Qatar, a third Norwegian journalist has been arrested in the country but later released without charge.
Infantino gets backing of African pals for game-changing biennial world cup plan
By Andrew Warshaw
November 29 – Bruised by the generally lukewarm response to his case for the World Cup to be held every two years, Gianni Infantino now claims opponents of the idea are scared of change.
‘Asia’s time’: Shaikh Salman praises MA commitment as continent takes centre stage
By Paul Nicholson
November 28 – AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has praised his member associations for their unity and commitment to making the AFC’s competition’s happen despite the challenges of the global pandemic.
Former Czech FA boss Pelta jailed for fraudulent use of government sports subsidies
November 29 – A Czech court has sentenced a former head of the country’s FA to six and years in jail for fraud.
Police raid Juve offices in probe into suspected transfer fraud
November 29 – The offices of Juventus, Italy’s most successful club, were raided by police last Friday amid an investigation into transfer dealings between 2019 and 2021.
Infantino defends Wenger’s plan for football, saying game is at a ‘critical juncture’
By Paul Nicholson
November 28 – Gianni Infantino has repeated his case for a World Cup to be held every year. Speaking to Asia’s member associations at the Asian Football Confederation congress, held virtually at the weekend, he argued that the game needed to be more global and that it needed to be kept relevant.
Crypto.com becomes Copa Libertadores sponsor and Conmebol’s NFT partner
November 29 – Conmebol has agreed a multi-year partnership with Crypto.com as an official partner of its showcase club competition, Copa Libertadores.
Portuguese farce as game abandoned after Belenenses reduced to six players
November 29 – The top-flight Portuguese game between Belenenses and Benfica was abandoned Saturday amid farcical scenes after the hosts were forced to start the game with nine players, including two goalkeepers, because of Covid.