Soccer

10/17/2025 |  Malaysia soccer federation suspends senior official in fallout from FIFA cheating accusations (Associated Press (AP)) KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Football Association of Malaysia announced the suspension of its secretary general on Friday pending an investigation after soccer governing body FIFA accused the country of cheating by fielding ineligible players. 

10/17/2025 |  FIFA announces over 1 million tickets sold for 2026 World Cup in North America (Associated Press (AP)) MIAMI (AP) — More than 1 million tickets have already been sold for next year’s World Cup, FIFA said Thursday in its first update on numbers since the official start of sales began earlier this month.
The highest demand, as would be expected, were from buyers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico — the three nations that will play host to the tournament. FIFA said people from 212 different countries and territories have already purchased, even though only 28 of the 48 spots in the field have been filled.

10/17/2025 |  American businessman whose firm invested in European soccer clubs indicted for alleged $500M fraud (Associated Press (AP)) NEW YORK (AP) — An American businessman whose firm invested in several European soccer clubs that struggled under its ownership has been indicted in New York on charges of financial wrongdoing in an alleged $500 million fraud scheme.
Josh Wander was a co-founder of Miami-based 777 Partners that owned stakes in an Australian airline plus soccer clubs Hertha Berlin in Germany, Genoa in Italy, Standard Liege in Belgium and Vasco da Gama in Brazil. 

10/17/2025 |  Pressure mounts on UK police force to reverse ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa game (Associated Press (AP)) LONDON (AP) — Pressure mounted Friday on police authorities in the English city of Birmingham to reverse a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans attending a Europa League game at Aston Villa next month over security concerns, a decision that drew condemnation from politicians, sports organizations and Jewish groups.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the police recommendation to bar the visiting team’s fans from the Nov. 6 game was “the wrong decision” and that “the role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”

10/17/2025 |  Juventus reveal UEFA investigation for potential Financial Fair Play breaches; CEO Maurizio Scanavino to leave (CBS Sports) One of Serie A's biggest and most historic teams, Juventus, have announced that they are being investigated by UEFA, European soccer's governing body, for possible financial fair play breaches. The Italian giants announced the news in the club's financial statements, which are scheduled to be presented at its annual shareholders' meeting on Nov. 7. The statement reveals that on Sept. 18 UEFA informed the club about the current investigation for possible breaches between 2022 and 2025 with a verdict expected to take place in 2026.