Barcelona add online financial trader FBS in 4-year global deal
January 17 – Barcelona have signed a four year global partnership with online trading platform FBS that will run through to end June 2024.
Europe’s leagues generate record €21bn but obesity warnings issued on Big 5 clubs
January 17 – The 712 top-flight clubs in Europe’s 55 leagues earned a record €21 billion in the 2018 financial year, up by 20% according to the latest “benchmarking” report from UEFA.
Africa’s convenient climate change. AFCON 2021 switches back to January play
By Andrew Warshaw
January 16 – A host of European-based African stars look set to miss a crucial part of next season after it was announced that the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations is reverting back to the competition’s traditional January slot.
South Africa pull out of CAF Futsal finals over politically disputed ‘Moroccan’ venue
January 16 – The disharmony within African football’s top brass has suffered another telling blow with South Africa boycotting this year’s Africa Futsal Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco.
FFA boss prioritises domestic league revamp and bid for 2023 Women’s World Cup
January 16 – The new boss of Australian football James Johnson wants to introduce a second-tier league to the domestic pyramid. He also singled out the bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and A-League independence as his priorities.
FIFA rolls out updated integrity toolkit with new e-Learning platform
January 16 – FIFA has updated its Integrity Officer toolkit with an updated handbook, promotional materials a new e-Learning platform.
Medical research into ‘football dementia’ prompts SFA to ban headers for U-12s
January 16 – In a ground-breaking move, children under-12 in Scotland could be banned from headers due to links between football and dementia.
Liverpool players dominate UEFA.com fan vote, Ronaldo and Messi make Best XI again
January 15 – Liverpool players dominate a fan vote on UEFA.com for the website’s team of the year 2019. While the club are the new face of European football dominance, two old faces, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both made the final XI.
New year, same old issues. Greek FA raided by financial police
January 16 – Greek football has been plunged into further controversy following a raid by local police on the headquarters of the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF).
BodyArmor expands MLS deal with 19 club partnerships
January 16 – Sports drink BodyArmor has expanded its partnership within Major League Soccer, announcing it now has ties with 19 of the MLS’s clubs.
Everton come unstuck with towering £111.8 m loss as Usmanov lurks in wings
By David Owen
January 15 – Everton have become the second Premier League club this month to report losses of more than £100 million.
Irish FA’s €60m bail-out talks ‘positive’ as negotiation enters crucial end-phase
January 15 – A rescue package to save the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) from complete collapse has moved a step closer following survival talks between Irish officials and UEFA.
Security fears force Man Utd to scrap plans for Middle East winter break
January 15 – Manchester United have scrapped plans for a training camp in the Gulf during next month’s English winter break because of heightening tensions in the region.
Japanese legend Keisuke Honda to build new club from scratch
January 15 – Former Japanese international Keisuke Honda wants to found an amateur football club in Tokyo after a previously failed attempt to run a club in Austria.
Milan venue for FIFA eClub World Cup 2020 finals
January 15 – Milan will be the host city for the FIFA eClub World Cup 2020 finals that will be played February 7-9, the first time the finals have been held in Italy.