By Samindra Kunti in Madrid
November 10 – River Plate won the Copa Libertadores for a fourth time by defeating arch rivals Boca Juniors 3-1 in extra-time on Sunday in the dramatic, rearranged final in Madrid. But even this finale was subject to a last gasp appeal to CAS by Boca to suspend the match.
December 12 – World champions the United States have another mouth-watering clash with old rivals Sweden at next year’s women’s World Cup in France following the draw held at the weekend.
December 10 – Gianni Infantino’s $25 billion ambition to reshape the entire landscape of world football has taken a decisive step after FIFA confirmed that a task force set up to examine plans for an expanded Club World Cup and a global version of the Nations League held its first meeting on Sunday to look at possible formats, dates and slot allocations.
December 10 – FIFA is to send a delegation to observe the forthcoming and increasingly bitter Zimbabwe football federation elections pencilled in for December 16.
December 10 – Afghan Football Federation president Keramuddin Keram (pictured centre) has been suspended while allegations of sexual abuse against members of the country’s women’s national team are investigated.
December 10 – Two days after PSG issued a statement saying it would be selling neither Neymar or Kylian Mbappé to avoid any potential financial fair play sanctions, the Qatar National Bank (QNB) has announced star striker Neymar as its Global Brand Ambassador.
November 10 – The German FA (DFL) has finalised the 22 teams that will kick off the first edition of the TAG Heuer Virtual Bundesliga (VBL) in the battle to become Germany’s first club champions in eFootball. The Bundesliga will provide 13 teams while nine will come from Bundesliga 2.
December 12 – A week after a banana was thrown by a Tottenham Hotspur fan – inexcusable but a rare occurance in English football – the far more prevalent problem of verbal racism has again reared its ugly head.
December 10 – Chinese Super League Jiangsu Suning have signed Korean electronics brand Samsung as a main sponsor for three seasons starting with the 2019 season.
December 10 – Gianni Infantino has confirmed that FIFA will definitely decide in March whether the 2022 World Cup in Qatar can be expanded to 48 teams, though the likelihood of the concept being brought forward from the 2026 tournament appears to be receding.
By Paul Nicholson
December 7 – The UAE are officially putting forward a candidate for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) presidency of the regional confederation whose elections take place April 6 in Kuala Lumpur next year.As is Qatar. Both nominations came in before yesterday’s midnight deadline last night.
September 7 – Former Guatemala football chief and one-time FIFA executive committee member Rafael Salguero avoided a jail term when he was sentenced on Thursday to time served, releasing him from house arrest following his role in the FifaGate corruption scandal.
December 7 – The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has reacted furiously to the latest curve ball thrown by African football chief Ahmad Ahmad.
By Samindra Kunti in Madrid
December 7 – On Sunday, at last, the final of all finals will come to an end as River Plate and Boca Juniors face off for glory in the Copa Libertadores in Madrid. Governing body Conmebol shifted the game over security concerns to the Spanish capital, where a huge security operation is underway.
December 7 – Three more top-flight French games this weekend have been postponed amid fears of further violent ‘yellow vest’ protests in France over social inequality and living standards.