Brazilian police said that a "21-year-old man died after a confrontation between rival football fan groups" took place before a Brasileiro game between Palmeiras and Santos. Authorities said that the man was "run over by a car after he and other Palmeiras fans went onto a major highway to try to ambush two buses carrying Santos supporters" to the game in Sao Paulo. Four fans "remained hospitalized, including one with a gunshot wound." Police said Palmeiras fans "tried to block the buses and used rocks and pieces of wood in the attack against the Santos supporters" (AP, 10/20). ... Several fans "were injured, including a 14-year-old who suffered stab wounds," outside Colo Colo's stadium before a Chilean first division match against Universidad de Chile. The incidents "occurred outside the stadium and also in the bleachers, where fans threw rocks and other objects at the section where Univ. de Chile fans were located." Police said that "approximately 60 people were detained" (EFE, 10/19). ... French Football Federation President Noël Le Graët "will present France’s nomination for the 2019 Women’s World Cup" at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Oct. 30. Only two candidates remain in the running, France and South Korea. England and New Zealand "both sent a letter of intent in the spring, but have since given up" (AFP, 10/20). ... EPL side Sunderland player Vito Mannone said he and his teammates "should reimburse the fans who travelled to Southampton and watched their team lose 8-0." Sunderland Manager Gus Poyet said the team's "heaviest Premier League loss was his 'most embarrassing' moment in football." Sunderland scored two own goals, "which included a calamitous 18-yard volley from Argentine Santiago Vergini." Mannone: "I will personally talk to the team to see if it is possible to pay for their tickets and their trip." Mannone wants the players to "meet the costs of the 700-mile journey made by 2,500 'special' Sunderland fans" (BBC, 10/19).
CITY FANS TO RENT FLAT: Sixteen Man City fans are planning to "rent out" a flat in an apartment block "overlooking CSKA Moscow's ground so they can watch their side in the Champions League on Tuesday night." UEFA has banned the "sale of tickets and ordered the match to be played behind closed doors as punishment for the racist behaviour of CSKA fans." Last month the Bayern Munich supporters "rented a room in a tower block overlooking the Arena Khimki, giving them a bird's-eye view of proceedings." Fan troubles have "plagued the Russian club in European competition" (London DAILY MAIL, 10/20).
VILLA'S STINT IN JEOPARDY: Doubts "have surfaced as to whether" Spanish footballer David Villa will "complete his 10-match guest stint in the A-League." In what would be a "massive blow" for A-League side Melbourne City, Villa could be "required to depart" for the U.S. at the end of this month -- just four games into his loan deal. Villa's last appearance in Australia "could be against Adelaide City at AAMI Park" on Oct. 31. Sources close to Villa have suggested Major League Soccer club New York FC, which signed him after the World Cup in Brazil and "allowed him to play in Australia to keep him match-fit, are keen to have him back in the States as quickly as possible to start a marketing push ahead of the club's debut" in next season's MLS competition (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/21).
