Arnold quits Australia after poor start to 2026 qualifying
September 20 – After six years in charge, Graham Arnold has stepped down as Australia’s head coach ahead of their next World Cup qualifier in October.
Federations
Stefano Piolo heads to Saudi to take over misfiring Al Nassr
September 19 – Stefano Pioli will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s new boss after the Italian was named as Saudi club Al Nassr’s head coach Wednesday, replacing Luis Castro who parted ways with the club after a slow start to the season.
Al Nassr seek Castro replacement to coach misfiring Ronaldo, Mane and Laporte
September 18 – Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr is looking for yet another new coach after firing Luis Castro in the second managerial change since the Portuguese star’s arrival.
South Korea’s Son Jun-ho says he was coerced into match-fixing confession by Chinese police
September 16 – South Korea’s Suwon FC are reported to have terminated international midfielder Son Jun-ho’s contract by mutual agreement after he was handed a lifetime ban by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) for his alleged involvement in match-fixing and bribery.
Aussie women’s A-League agrees naming rights deal with SharkNinja
September 12 – Technology company SharkNinja has become the naming rights of the women’s A-League in a multi-year deal.
China issues lifetime bans to 38 players and five club officials for match-fixing
September 10 – China’s purge of football-related corruption has reached unprecedented levels after the country banned 43 people for life over allegations of match-fixing, bribery and other forms of wrongdoing.
Israeli violence after Hapoel Beersheba fans attack Sakhnin supporters for turning back during national anthem
September 4 – The Israel-Palestine conflict has spilled over into the Israeli top-flight domestic league after 12 fans were arrested when fighting broke out between fans of Hapoel Beersheba and Israeli-Arab side Bnei Sakhnin – and the match subsequently abandoned.
Marques says India can’t play ‘worse’ after draw with Mauritius
September 4 – On debut, India manager Manolo Marques slammed his own team after a goalless draw against lowly Mauritius at the Intercontinental Cup. “It is difficult to play worse than today,” he said.
Aussies rethink transfer rules in move to make pro game more sustainable
September 3 – Australian football stakeholders, who have jointly committed to a ‘holistic’ review of the Aussie professional game’s economic model, as a first step have agreed to phase out the controversial ‘Caceres Clause’ that covers player transfers.
Saudi Pro League brings in Webook to manage electronic ticketing
August 22 – The Saudi Pro League (SPL), which kicks off its new season tomorrow, has signed a three-year deal with ticketing platform Webook.com.
Saudis geared up for season kick-off with focus on performance and domestic development
August 21 – The Roshn Saudi League 2024-25 season kicks off tomorrow with a number of new big-name faces and a series of new league rules designed to protect the development of Saudi qualified players.
Indonesians to spend $175m on developing stadia
August 21 – The Indonesian Government is investing IDR 2.87 trillion ($175 million) to upgrade 21 football stadiums across the nation, boosted by further cash from the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI).
Saudis unveil designs for $390m Aramco Stadium
August 21 – Sports architecture firm Populous has unveiled its design for the $390 million Aramco Stadium project, which is set to become a key venue in Saudi Arabia’s 2034 FIFA World Cup.
China sends two more football execs to jail for corruption
August 20 – China’s crackdown on corrupt football officials has intensified with yet more jail sentences meted out.
Israelis briefly detain Palestine FA boss Jibril Rajoub at border ordering him to return for ‘questioning’
August 14 – Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestine FA and the Palestine Olympic Association, and the country’s sports minister was detained yesterday by Israeli forces at the Karama/King Hussein Bridge border crossing with Jordan on his return from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
