Infantino hits the African trails with 7-nation tour
January 8 – With his re-election campaign surely very much in mind, Gianni Infantino has embarked on a seven-nation tour of West Africa that started in Guinea last weekend.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Match preview Iran vs Vietnam: Good form and confident coaches promise a tight finish
January 7 – With Iran having set down an emphatic marker with their 5-0 win over Yemen, the battle between the two other group D teams Iraq and Vietnam assumes even greater importance in the bid to secure the top two automatic last 16 qualifying slots.
46% of the Top 100 of the world’s most valuable footballers play in England
January 7 – With the European winter transfer window now open, any club looking to buy at the top end of the player market is going to have to spend over €100 million, and to buy at the very top they would need more than €200 million – if the players were for sale.
Queiroz happy with Iran’s uncompromising start but loses the plot over Ivanković’s Iraq comments
January 7 – Iran coach Carlos Queiroz showed his satisfaction with his team’s 5-0 demolition of Asian Cup debutants Yemen in their opening game, warning that the Asian Cup is not a “cheese cake” before picking a fight with Persepolis coach Branko Ivanković back home.
Slovenian Katanac sees Asian Cup as stepping stone for Iraq to 2022 World Cup
By Samindra Kunti in Abu Dhabi
January 8 – Srecko Katanac, the Slovenian in charge of Iraq, is back in the UAE but this time as manager of Iraq. Charged with rebuilding what was an aging team, he has his sights set on 2022. He spoke with Samindra Kunti.
Iran waste no time putting marker down with demolition of Yemen
Iran 5 Yemen 0
By Samindra Kunti in Abu Dhabi
January 7 – Iran asserted their title credentials at the 2019 Asian Cup with a resounding 5-0 demolition of tournament debutants Yemen in their opening Group D game. Medhi Taremi, twice, and an own-goal inside the first 25 minutes set Iran on the path of a comprehensive victory.
Man City could still face Champions League ban over alleged FFP breaches
January 7 – UEFA’s chief financial investigator has confirmed that reigning Premier League champions Manchester City could be kicked out Europe if alleged irregularities exposed in the Football Leaks scandal prove to be true.
Spurs fans told to keep quiet on the ‘Y-front’ ahead of Chelsea semi-final clash
January 7 – The World Jewish Congress and the Board of Deputies of British Jews have condemned the use of the word ‘Yid’ to describe Tottenham Hotspur supporters, a club whose own fans historically use the word but as a badge of honour.
Thailand sack Rajevac after heavy defeat to India in opening Asian Cup game
January 7 – Serbian coach Milan Rajevac was relieved from his role as Thailand coach after a disastrous 4-1 defeat at the hands of India in their opening group A game in the 2019 Asian Cup.
AFC backs Pakistan’s Hayat and tells government to back off
January 7 – The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) executive committee has condemned third-party interference in running of the affairs of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and has promised its support to ousted PFF president Faisal Saleh Hyatt (pictured).
Nigerian FA fury at ‘mob’ rumours that Pinnick is under arrest
January 7 – Reports that Nigerian FA chief Amaju Pinnick, a strong ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has been arrested over allegations of fraud have been strongly denied by the office of the country’s President Muhammadu Buhari.
Rooney fined after cocktail of sleeping pills and alcohol lands him in airport trouble
January 7 – Former England captain Wayne Rooney, who has played for D.C. United in the United States since last year, was arrested in mid-December on a minor charge of public intoxication and had to pay a token fine of $25 with $91 in costs, it was revealed over the weekend.
Upwardly mobile Real Betis increase Alfa Romeo deal
January 7 – Real Betis, currently in sixth in LaLiga’s top flight, have expanded their agreement with Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo who will now become one of the club’s main partners.
Match preview Iran vs Yemen: Queiroz wary of unknown Yemenis
January 6 – Iran have not won the Asian Cup since 1976 and as Team Melli chase a fourth continental title Carlos Queiroz has stressed that Iran are not underestimating Yemen in their opening fixture, calling it “a crucial game”.
Constantine happy with another progressive day at the office for an emerging India
By Samindra Kunti in Abu Dhabi
January 6 – India enjoyed a dream start in the 2019 Asian Cup as the Blue Tigers outclassed Thailand in a 4-1 victory in their opening game, but a down-to-earth head coach Stephen Constantine refused to get carried away and called the landmark win just “another result”.