Barcelona delivered a commanding performance against Real Madrid, cruising to a 4-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. This resounding win pushes Barcelona six points ahead in La Liga, solidifying their lead and marking an unforgettable moment in the season. Now, despite Lionel Messi’s departure from Camp Nou over three years ago, his connection to Barcelona remains as strong …
Read More »France and Spain close in on Argentina, Germany on brink of top 10 world ranking return
October 27 – After an October international match window that saw 126 competitive matches and 17 friendlies played, Argentina remain top of the world rankings,but France and Spain are closing in on them. The top 10 saw no change with the top six holding their positions. Portugal (7th, up 1) and Italy (9th, up 1) are the only climbers in …
Read More »AFC warms up for 2023 season awards night in Seoul
October 28 – Asia will crown its highest achievers in Seoul tomorrow (Tuesday) night with 21 awards that will include the men’s and women’s player of the year titles. The 28th edition of the AFC Annual Awards, to be held at the magnificent Grand Peace Palace of the Kyung Hee University, will review a year that saw the confederation host its …
Read More »AFC turns the camera on its match officials for five-episode docu-series
October 27 – Asian referees are the focus of a documentary series with behind the scenes footage from the Asian Cup Qatar 2023, that was played last January-February. Produced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the five-episode series titled Beyond the Field, examines the roles and responsibilities of match officials at the Qatar finals that had 74 appointed referees. Each …
Read More »Concacaf set scene for 2025 Champions Cup draw
October 28 – Of the 20 clubs qualified for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, eight are former Concacaf Champions Cup winners. Seven clubs are still to qualify ahead of the draw that will take place December 10. The tournament will be played February to June 2025 with the winners qualifying for the second edition of the expanded FIFA Club World …
Read More »Barca’s return to Camp Nou delayed into 2025/26 season with fears over escalating costs
October 28 – One of football’s grandest theatres, the Camp Nou, in Barcelona, won’t reopen as expected. Barca fans will now have to wait until the 2025-26 season to return to their spiritual home. The renovations were slated to be completed by November of 2024 but that timeline has been pushed as unexpected delays mean that the team will now …
Read More »With no challengers on horizon, CAF announces Motsepe will stand for a second term
October 28 – Patrice Motsepe has said he will seek a second term as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The organisation confirmed with elections taking place in 2025. On the sidelines of the CAF General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Motsepe once again sidestepped a question about his future as African football supremo, but in a brief …
Read More »Televisa boss Emilio Azcarraga steps down in wake of US probe into World Cup TV rights
October 28 – The executive chairman of Mexican media giants Televisa, Emilio Azcarraga, is stepping down from Grupo Televisa SAB in the wake of the FBI’s bribery probe into broadcast rights sales for FIFA World Cup matches. The resignation comes with immediate effect. The shock decision comes amidst a US Justice Department investigation into the corporation’s dealings in international football. …
Read More »Free travel, sustainability and respect are cornerstones of Women’s Euro 2025 ESG strategy
October 27 – UEFA and the Swiss organisers of the Women’s Euro 2025 championships have targeted the setting of new sustainability benchmarks as a key objective and to that end is offering free public transport to ticket holders on match days from any Swiss locality to the venue. The ‘smart mobility’ plan comes as part of a wider Environmental, Social …
Read More »Mo Salah fails to make top 10 nominees for CAF player of the year – really
October 28 – The two-time winner of the African Player of the Year, Mohamed Salah, has been snubbed for the most prestigious individual award in African football. For the first time since 2017, the Liverpool superstar has failed to make the top ten shortlist. Salah has finished in the top three on the last five occasions. The Egyptian has begun …
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