Scottish Premiership side Celtic is "exploring the possibility of starting a franchise club" in the U.S. The Scottish champion is also looking into "similar opportunities in Asia as they attempt to grow their global brand." Initial talks have "already taken place between representatives of the club and the North American Soccer League," which is the second tier league in the U.S. (BBC, 10/25). ... England has been handed a fine of €15,000 ($16,500) by UEFA "after crowd disturbances" during its final Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania. England fans became "embroiled in nasty scuffles with home supporters as trouble flared in the minutes before kick-off with locals appearing to launch into visiting supporters in the home end of the LFF Stadium." The hosts "were hit by double the FA's fine" (LONDON TIMES, 10/24). ... China President Xi Jinping's trip to Manchester has been "hotly anticipated by Chinese social media users, who are abuzz" over why he visited Man City, and not the "more internationally famous" ManU. Football is "currently at a low ebb in China, and web users hope the visit will give the game a boost there." The #XiJinpingVisitsUK hashtag has been trending, "with tens of thousands talking about one topic alone: football." Many "were angry" at what was described as an "inexplicably embarrassing" decision to visit Man City instead of ManU, and blamed it on Xi's British hosts (BBC, 10/23). ... Police have described fan violence at a "chaotic A-League derby" between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers as "unacceptable" on a night when flares, hammers and large bolts intended to be used as missiles were confiscated by authorities. A total of three people "were charged and two issued banning notices, while 18 supporters were ejected from Allianz Stadium" during Sydney FC's 1-0 victory over Western Sydney. Fights, pitch invasions and a bottle-throwing incident "marred the game" and according to police were carried out by "not your ordinary sporting spectators" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 10/25).
PATRICIA WREAKS HAVOC: The Liga MX match between Atlas and Chivas, which was scheduled to be played on Saturday, was postponed due to Hurricane Patricia. Liga MX President Enrique Bonilla announced that it would be played on Nov. 11 (LA AFICIÓN, 10/23). Mexico's Segunda División "did not want to take risks" and decided to suspend eight matches at various levels. The league announced that the new dates and times of the matches would be announced "in the coming days" (LA AFICIÓN, 10/23).
