Palestine win back right to host Saudi World Cup qualifier in West Bank
October 21 – Palestinian football has won a decisive battle off the field over the contentious World Cup qualifier with Saudi Arabia and will host it on November 5.
Asia
Salman gauges AFC opinion before committing to run in FIFA race
By Andrew Warshaw
October 20 – Asian football supremo Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has been given considerable encouragement by “senior” figures in the game to run for the FIFA presidency.
Kuwait pulls out of Gulf Cup hosting, threatening tournament future
By Mark Baber
October 20 – Kuwait’s cabinet, hosted by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, have decided the city-state will not host the 2015 edition of the Gulf Cup, whilst describing FIFA’s decision of last week to ban the country from all international football citing government interference as “arbitrary and hasty.”
FIFA steps in to clear out Makudi and Thai football chiefs
October 19 – FIFA has removed the entire executive committee of Thailand’s football association (FAT) after its controversial president Worawi Makudi was suspended pending a full ethics investigation.
Kuwaiti clubs miss AFC Cup semis as FIFA ban comes into force
October 19 – Kuwait, home to Asia’s most influential sports power broker Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, has been banned from international football because of government interference in the running of the sport domestically.
Police swoop to arrest Nepal national team players in match-fixing investigation
By Mark Baber
October 16 – Three current and two former Nepal national team players have been arrested in Kathmandu Valley as part of an investigation into match-fixing involving bookies in Malaysia and Singapore.
Thais postpone election to give Makudi chance to clear his name
By Andrew Warshaw
October 15 – The Thai FA has given in to pressure and postponed this weekend’s presidential election after present incumbent Worawi Makudi was suspended by FIFA’s ethics committee.
Defiant Makudi says he will contest Thai elections despite suspension
By Andrew Warshaw
October 14 – Suspended former powerbroker Worawi Makudi looks set to defy FIFA’s ethics committee by contesting Thailand’s forthcoming FA presidential election in what would be a flagrant violation of the rules.
Pelé returns to India to encourage a football evolution
By Samindra Kunti
October 13 – After 38 years Brazilian football legend Pelé has returned to Kolkata to promote football in India. He will be the guest of honor at the Indian Super League match between Atletico de Kolkata’s and Kerala Blasters, and at the Subroto Cup Final in New Delhi.
IS killings in Bangladesh raise Aussie safety concerns for World Cup Qualifier
By Mark Baber
October 5 – Following the murders of an Italian aid worker and a Japanese tourist, which have both been claimed by the Islamic State (IS), Australia’s Football Federation (FFA) has expressed its concern over the security situation in Bangladesh, ahead of a scheduled World Cup qualifier on November 17.
Singapore FA averts FIFA sanctions with move to end government appointments
By Mark Baber
October 2 – Under pressure from FIFA to end government interference in appointment of its officials, the Singapore FA (FAS) has delayed the appointment of new council members, promising to put a new election process in place by March 2016.
Palestine appeal to FIFA and AFC chief to restore home World Cup qualifier with Saudi
By Andrew Warshaw
September 30 – Palestinian football authorities have stepped up their campaign to overturn an order by FIFA to play a crucial World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on neutral ground.
Indians partner with ICSS for second season of Super League
September 24 – Following a successful collaboration last year, the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) has announced it will once again work with the Indian Super League (ISL) to safeguard the integrity of the league for the 2015 season.
Indian Super League delivers DHL sponsorship
By Samindra Kunti
September 23 – DHL, the world’s leading logistics provider, has agreed a sponsorship deal with the Indian Super League, India’s premier professional football championship, for the upcoming 2015 season.
Singaporean match-fixer ‘extradordinaire’ handed 4 year jail term
By Mark Baber
September 22 – Singaporean Rajendran R Kurusamy (pictured), the mastermind behind a conspiracy to fix a Southeast Asian (SEA) Games football match between Timor Leste and Malaysia, was sentenced to four years’ jail in Singapore on Monday.