IFA to donate a portion of the gate sales of the Shield final to the North Bengal victims
Indian Football Association (IFA) has decided to donate a portion of the gate sales of the ongoing IFA Shield final, scheduled to be staged at Salt Lake Stadium on 18th October. IFA secretary Anirban Dutta, commenting on the plans, revealed, “This is a matter of humanity. We should stand by the hundreds of people who have been fighting for survival after being destroyed by the flood. That is why we have decided to donate a portion of the gate sale of the IFA Shield final.” The Kolkata derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) is expected to be held in the IFA Shield final. The tickets have been priced from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1200 for the final. IFA has even selected priced-tickets for the box seats at the Salt Lake Stadium, and Rs. 15000 has been priced. Dutta divulged, “We have decided to donate the full amount collected from the box tickets and a portion of the amount garnered from other tickets. We have even sought permission from the police to set up a few counters outside the stadium ground. If anybody wants to donate food to the victims, they can deposit there at the counters, and we can send it there.” 62 thousand tickets will be issued for the spectators, and 60 percent of the tickets can be priced.
Hyderabad FC in a Tight Spot over New Registration and Name
Hyderabad FC’s plan to rebrand as Sporting Club Delhi before the Super Cup has run into trouble. The club, which informed the AIFF about its new name and relocation, is facing resistance from the Delhi Soccer Association. The DSA has refused approval over a registration fee dispute. Although it issued a no-objection certificate, the DSA clarified on October 7 that the NOC doesn’t allow the use of the word “Delhi.” The DSA wrote, “It has come to our attention that the club has been rebranded to Sporting Club Delhi. As per our records, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by Delhi Soccer Association permits your team to play matches in Delhi, but does not grant the use of the word ‘Delhi’ in the club’s name, since the team is not formally registered with the Association,”. As News9 Sports reports, “We would therefore like to confirm whether the name change to Sporting Club Delhi has been made official. Kindly share the relevant documentation or clarification at the earliest.” Hyderabad FC have not yet replied to the DSA’s mail but maintain that they cannot be stopped from using ‘Delhi’ in their name, as it represents the city they aim to play for. The dispute began over a steep registration fee of ₹40 lakh, which the DSA demanded to approve the club’s relocation request. “We are not willing to be held to ransom on principle. We have tried different angles of dialogue with them but no direct communication since they demanded that money and gave a shoddy NOC,” an official of the club said. With Hyderabad FC refusing to pay the hefty fee and the DSA standing firm, the issue has lingered for months. Multiple emails have been exchanged, and the club even asked the AIFF to register them directly, but that request has yet to receive a positive response. “We are not using DSA’s ground or stadium, neither are we willing to play in the state’s leagues, so I don’t understand what the problem is,” the official said. On 19th July, the DSA set up a four-member committee, including president Anuj Gupta, which decided the minimum affiliation fees for clubs in its B Division would be ₹20 lakh. For ISL clubs, the fee was set at ₹40 lakh, up from the ₹8 lakh that the defunct Delhi Dynamos paid in 2014, while I-League clubs were required to pay ₹30 lakh. “We obviously want them to play from Delhi. But clubs registered with DSA can only use ‘Delhi’ in their name. They should also follow DSA’s rules and regulations as other clubs have paid and registered. The fee is intended to be used towards grassroots programmes,” Gupta told News9 Sports. “We have also kept the AIFF in the loop. We are not stopping then from playing from Delhi. They are free to play as HFC in the city. But to use ‘Delhi’ in their name, they have to registered with DSA. “For ISL and I-League clubs, the fee is more as they compete in the topmost top two divisions of the country.” In its communication with the AIFF, the DSA stated that Hyderabad FC can play only ISL matches in Delhi, similar to Punjab FC, which rents the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium while remaining registered with the Punjab Football Association. HFC prefer Ambedkar Stadium as their home ground, but its questionable infrastructure may force them to use JLN Stadium, as PFC has for the past two seasons. The DSA has also sought clarification from the Telangana Football Association regarding the NOC for the club’s relocation from Hyderabad, where they have been based since the 2019-20 season. Hyderabad FC remain hopeful of keeping ‘Delhi’ in their name. They plan to submit the new entity’s logo and jersey to the AIFF this week. However, DSA president Anuj Gupta warned that the NOC could be revoked if HFC do not complete their affiliation. The club must be registered with a state association to participate in youth leagues and meet club licensing requirements. “They are using the world Delhi very smartly. They purposefully wants to use the world Delhi to increase their brand value,” Gupta stated. “But they aren’t a local club, they are playing in the highest division. We are waiting to hear from the AIFF before consulting our lawyers for the way forward. If needed, we can revoke the NOC.” “It is a matter between the state association and the club. As a rule, clubs are registered with state associations and not affiliated directly with the AIFF. At the moment HFC is registered under the Telengana FA,” an AIFF official said.
UAE on the verge of Qualification for World Cup finals after 35 years
UAE might end their 35-years old longing for a World Cup appearance. As the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying match is set to kick off against Oman in Doha (kick off 9:15 pm UAE Time), head coach Cosmin Olaroiu is hopeful. He stated his players are highly motivated to reach the dream and hope of the nation. The team can seal their appearance by winning Group A of the fourth round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Qatar. Olaroiu said while talking to the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) website, stated, “I am happy that everyone has the same goal and ambition, which is to reach the World Cup,” “This dream doesn’t just belong to the players, but to an entire nation.” The game began in Doha with a draw between Oman and Qatar. Now after the draw UAE face Oman on Saturday, walking towards their last game on 14th October. Needless to say about the rivalry as the top team from the group will have a direct seat for the next year’s World Cup. The second-placed team will face the Group B runners-up — Saudi Arabia, Iraq, or Indonesia — in a November play-off. The winner of that two-legged tie will then move to the intercontinental play-off for a final World Cup spot. The UAE, however, are determined to top Group A and secure direct qualification. With the nation behind them, coach Olaroiu says his players are ready to end years of heartbreak. Thousands of UAE fans have already reached Doha, hopeful of witnessing history. “All members of the UAE football system share the same dream. What we need is confidence and commitment,” stated Olaroiu, the team’s Romanian head coach. “We have a real chance to reach the World Cup, and we must believe in it and defend it with all our might.” Since Olaroiu took over from Paulo Bento in April, the UAE have gone unbeaten in four matches.
Kasparov Wins over Anand, but Credits to His Luck!
Thirty years after their famous 1995 World Chess Championship clash in New York, Garry Kasparov once again got the better of Viswanathan Anand. While, this time, in an exhibition event in St Louis titled Clutch Chess: The Legends. The two legends faced each other in 12 rapid and blitz games over three days. Kasparov won the contest 13–11 under a special points system. Through the system, wins on the first day were worth one point, the second day two points, and the final day three points. Kasparov secured victory with two games remaining, though Anand finished strong by winning both of the last games. While talking about the event, Kasparov stated, ‘Anand was not in his fine mental state during the three-day event.’ While speaking in an interview with St Louis Chess Club’s YouTube channel, the Russian stated, “He had some psychological discomfort. It didn’t go well for him from day one, and I think it’s just that his score against me historically is bad, and somehow, probably just the ghosts of the past visited him during the game.” However, when the interviewers pointed out that Kasparov had previously sealed the 1995 World Chess Championship exactly on 10th October, he merely stated he was not aware of it. Kasparov admitted he was lucky in parts of the match. In one game, Anand lost on time despite having the upper hand, prompting Kasparov to apologise, saying he didn’t want to win that way. Reflecting later, the Russian legend remarked that he “deserved to be punished” for that game — a rare moment of humility between two great rivals. “(Overall) it was a very difficult fight, and I think that I was extremely lucky in many games. There were few moments where the tables could have turned. I actually played a few good games. It’s probably those I have not won. I would have preferred to lose game one (of day 2) or just to force a draw, which I could do easily. I would rather win game two on day 2. So it’s probably a fair balance. Of course I just totally relaxed today after game two (winning the event),” Kasparov claimed to Grandmaster Maurice Ashley in the interview. Kasparov further stated, “I’m not a professional player. I had very few expectations before the match. I was quite surprised to find myself in this situation. When I won the match, it was just somehow just total relaxation. In the depths of my mind I thought, ‘It’s not fair.’ I tried (to win the last two games). It’s not that I just lost on purpose.” The Russian GM credited his luck for the win, stating, “I think I was more resilient than he expected. In times of trouble, to my great surprise, I did better. But again, luck is luck. I tried to make sure that luck would be with me.”
Suhail Bhat’s brace guides India Under-23 to a win in first friendly against Indonesia
India U23 men’s team edged past Indonesia 2-1 in the first of two Under-23 international friendlies at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday, 10th October. Naushad Moosa-coached Indian colts raced to an early two-goal lead, courtesy a superb brace from Suhail Ahmad Bhat in the 5th and 26th minute, before Dony Tri Pamungkas pulled one back four minutes before half-time. After another intensely fought second half that yielded no goals, the Blue Colts claimed a well-deserved win that underlined both their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. Rocked by the opening goal, Indonesia were desperate for the equaliser, but that left gaps behind which India tried their best to exploit. In the 10th minute, Muhammed Suhail’s cutback caused all sorts of problems in the hosts’ defence. The ball ultimately fell for Vibin Mohanan, who struck hard but was denied by a goal-line clearance. There was no stopping Md Suhail’s onslaught from the left as he cut inside in the 22nd minute, saw his low drive blocked by the defence, gathered the second ball and tried to hit it into the bottom corner, but goalkeeper Cahya Supriadi made a good save. India head coach Naushad Moosa said, “It was a difficult game, but I really appreciate the boys. Everyone was supporting each other throughout. There are still a lot of things to learn. But yeah, I did say before that it wouldn’t be easy for Indonesia.” India and Indonesia will meet again in the second friendly on Monday, October 13, at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta.
Madrid’s calmness helps Mbappe to shine, says the star
Real Madrid’s star forward Kylian Mbappe admits that Madrid’s calmness is helping him to deliver his best on the pitch gradually. He has mentioned that the lifestyle in Madrid is less hectic than in Paris and also pointed out that staying in Madrid has made him more relaxed. The lifestyle in Madrid is inspiring him to recover mentally and physically as he looks to build on his scintillating start to the season. Ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan, Mbappe has said, “No career is linear. There can be difficult years, when you have to endure a bit more hardship. But in life, I think I’ve adapted well to Madrid. It’s true that I’m a bit more relaxed. This isn’t an attack on France, but it’s true that I’m more relaxed in Madrid. The lifestyle is different; it’s less hectic than in Paris. I think that’s part of the evolution of a man and a player.” The 26-year-old France captain, now in his second season at Real and with 14 goals in 10 appearances across all competitions so far this term, added, “I have managed to get myself back on track, to get my head and my legs back in the right place. But it’s only the start of the season. It’s only October, there’s still a lot to play for, and there will be a lot to show.” This quote comes after Mbappe’s impressive debut campaign at Real Madrid, when he scored 44 goals in all competitions, although the team fell short of securing a major trophy. Mbappe joined Real on a free transfer in June 2024, leaving Paris Saint-Germain after a seven-year stay. In Paris, he established himself as their all-time leading scorer with 256 goals and lifted six Ligue 1 titles and four French Cups. France top Group D in their World Cup qualifiers, having earned six points from two matches. Mbappe has the chance to surpass Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time top scorer. Giroud, who ended his international career after the conclusion of the 2024 European Championship, holds the record with 57 goals, while Mbappe is just five goals shy of the mark.
